India launches Operation Sagar Bandhu to aid cyclone-hit Sri Lanka as death toll rises

India on Friday commenced Operation Sagar Bandhu to provide urgent humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Sri Lanka, which has been severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The natural disaster has triggered widespread floods and landslides, killing 61 people and leaving 25 missing across the island nation, according to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

Indian naval ships INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri handed over relief materials to Sri Lankan authorities in Colombo as part of India’s immediate humanitarian response. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the operation marked the beginning of sustained assistance efforts, adding that further relief steps were underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of victims and said India stood in full solidarity with its closest maritime neighbour, dispatching vital Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) supplies under Operation Sagar Bandhu.

The impact of the disaster has been most severe in central and northern regions, with Matale district recording the highest rainfall. Low-lying areas around the Kelani River in northern Colombo faced critical flooding risks, while Trincomalee in the east remained heavily affected by the cyclone’s landfall. Floods and landslides have disrupted lives across multiple provinces, affecting 43,991 people from 12,313 families.

The DMC reported that four houses were completely destroyed and 666 suffered partial damage. Sri Lanka’s Meteorological Department warned of very heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm in the Northern, North-Central, Central, North-Western, Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces, with rainfall above 150 mm expected in Trincomalee, Badulla, Galle and Matara districts. Other regions may experience heavy showers exceeding 75 mm as weather conditions continue to remain volatile.

India said its assistance is guided by its Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, assuring Sri Lanka of continued support as the situation evolves.