Colombo [Sri Lanka], November 29 (ANI): The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka has established an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo to support Indian nationals affected by Cyclone Ditwah, the mission announced in an update posted on X.
According to the High Commission, Indian citizens facing distress at any airport or location in Sri Lanka can contact the emergency number +94 773727832, which is also accessible via WhatsApp. The mission is already assisting stranded Indian passengers at BIA, providing essentials such as food and drinking water.
The help desk comes as Sri Lanka continues to cope with the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on Wednesday and unleashed record rainfall across multiple regions. The extreme weather has caused severe flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying areas along the Kelani River basin, forcing thousands to evacuate.
Sri Lankan armed forces have deployed helicopters and boats to carry out rescue operations in the affected districts.
As the situation worsened, India dispatched specialized disaster-response teams and emergency relief to support ongoing rescue efforts. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said two teams, comprising 80 personnel, were sent early Friday under instructions from the central government. The teams departed in an IL-76 aircraft at 0406 hrs and landed in Colombo at 0810 hrs to begin coordinated operations with Sri Lankan authorities.
Alongside its personnel deployment, India transported around 21 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, including tents, blankets, mattresses, dignity kits, and other essential items required for immediate relief. This assistance forms part of a larger support effort as Sri Lanka deals with widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and mass displacement triggered by the cyclone.
In addition to Friday’s deployment, India had airlifted two more NDRF teams before dawn on Wednesday. A total of 80 rescuers and four canines were flown aboard an Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-76 as Colombo braced for severe damage from the cyclone. The teams, led by P.K. Tiwary, Commandant of the 8th Battalion, carried specialized HADR equipment, including inflatable boats, hydraulic cutting tools, breaching gear, communication systems, and medical kits.
The Indian Air Force said that Operation Sagar Bandhu was activated once the scale of devastation became clear. In a late-night statement on Thursday, the IAF confirmed that a C-130 and an IL-76 were scrambled from Hindan Air Base during the night of November 28–29, transporting more than 21 tonnes of relief material, over 80 NDRF personnel, and 8 tonnes of specialized equipment to Colombo.
According to the IAF, the consignment includes essential rations and critical supplies for immediate humanitarian support in the hardest-hit areas. The rapid mobilization aims to reinforce local authorities working to restore normalcy across affected regions.
The operation reflects India’s neighborhood-first policy, with New Delhi reiterating that it “stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this hour of need” as rescue and relief efforts intensify across the island. (ANI)
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