NEW DELHI: The death toll in Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah has surged, with the Disaster Management Centre reporting 474 fatalities and 356 people still missing after days of devastating flooding and landslides. Kandy District remains the hardest-hit, with 118 confirmed deaths.

In response, India has significantly scaled up its humanitarian assistance through Operation Sagar Bandhu, deploying air, sea, and ground resources to aid relief efforts. Supplies delivered to Trincomalee by INS Sukanya were then airlifted by the Sri Lankan Air Force to remote communities across the Eastern Province. Indian rescue teams also conducted large-scale evacuations, with personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Puttalam rescuing nearly 800 stranded individuals, including pregnant women and the injured.

In addition, Indian Air Force helicopters have air-dropped over 5.5 tonnes of relief supplies, evacuated dozens from hard-to-reach areas, and transported critically injured survivors to medical facilities. A C-17 Globemaster also arrived yesterday, bringing a modular, field hospital equipped with ambulances, trauma care units, and operating theatres, as well as 73 medical personnel to support the ongoing relief operations in Sri Lanka. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

PM Modi expressed his heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives and widespread devastation in Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah. He conveyed that the people of India stand in firm solidarity and support with the people of Sri Lanka in this hour of need. 

President Dissanayake conveyed his deep gratitude for India’s assistance in the wake of the disaster and appreciated the swift deployment of rescue teams and relief material. He also conveyed the appreciation of the people of Sri Lanka for India’s timely and effective response efforts.

PM Modi assured President Dissanayake of India’s continued support to Sri Lanka under the ongoing Operation Sagar Bandhu, providing rescue and relief to distressed persons. He assured that India, in line with its Vision MAHASAGAR and its established position as the ‘First Responder’, will continue to extend all necessary assistance in the coming days as Sri Lanka undertakes rehabilitation efforts, resumes public services, and works toward restoring livelihoods across the impacted regions.