New Delhi, 1 December (H.S.): India has extended comprehensive support to Sri Lanka reeling from devastating floods and loss of life caused by Cyclone Ditva, rescuing over 150 individuals from various nations and evacuating more than 2,000 stranded Indians under Operation Sagar Bandhu, now in its third day. The Foreign Ministry detailed these relief and rescue efforts on Monday, confirming the dispatch of 53 tons of essential aid materials since operations began on November 28.Deploying the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to bolster on-ground rescue coordination, India reaffirmed its steadfast solidarity with the Sri Lankan government and people during this crisis, committing to every possible assistance for swift recovery and normalcy restoration.
Rescued citizens hailed from Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Poland, Belarus, Iran, Australia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, while stranded Indians returned via special Indian Air Force flights and commercial airlines amid adverse weather.
India led with prompt action, airlifting 31.5 tons of relief via three IAF aircraft and delivering 9.5 tons of rations through two Indian Navy ships to Colombo. Additional support included a five-member medical team for on-site training, 80 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel in specialized Urban Search and Rescue teams, and 12 tons more aid aboard INS Sukanya.
In coordination with the Sri Lankan Air Force, Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant and IAF Mi-17s conducted extensive operations, safely extracting pregnant women, infants, and critically injured individuals from inundated areas.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
