Colombo: India has successfully evacuated the last group of stranded Indian nationals from Colombo as Cyclone ‘Ditva’ wreaked havoc across Sri Lanka. Officials confirmed on Monday that the final batch of evacuees was safely rescued under India’s intensified humanitarian operation.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo announced on social media that the last group of 104 stranded Indians at Bandaranaike International Airport was airlifted to Thiruvananthapuram early Monday morning under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’. The Indian Air Force aircraft carrying them landed at around 6:30 am.
According to a press release by the High Commission, India has expanded its assistance across multiple disaster-hit regions in Sri Lanka. A Chetak helicopter rescued several people, while additional Air Force helicopters conducted search operations in Kotmale — the worst-affected central highland region where landslides and flooding have cut off road connectivity.
The statement further noted that India’s specialised disaster response agency, NDRF, along with its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) team, arrived in Colombo on Sunday. Working closely with Sri Lankan authorities, they carried out rescue missions in Kochchikade.
NDRF teams are now operating in the cyclone-hit regions of Puttalam and Badulla, areas left isolated due to severe flooding and landslides. “NDRF assisted severely affected families and ensured their immediate safety,” the agency said.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Air Force confirmed the death of a pilot after a Bell-212 helicopter crashed during a relief operation in Wennappuwa, on the northwestern coast. The helicopter was attempting to deliver essential supplies when the accident occurred.
Cyclone Ditva has caused catastrophic destruction in Sri Lanka, with the death toll rising to 334 as of Sunday. Over 370 people remain missing, while flooding and landslides have cut off several districts, intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
India’s swift and robust rescue mission has brought relief to families back home and strengthened bilateral cooperation during this disaster.
