NEW DELHI: India has deployed two specialised rescue teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDR.F) to Sri Lanka under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ to support relief and rescue operations in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The two teams—comprising 80 trained rescuers and four canines—took off at 4:06 a.m. from the Hindon Airbase aboard an Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft. The contingent is led by Commandant P.K. Tiwary of the 8th Battalion.

Separately, an IAF C-130J aircraft carrying around 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits and ready-to-eat food, also landed in Colombo.

In a statement, NDRF Headquarters said the teams are equipped with inflatable rescue boats, hydraulic cutting and breaching tools, advanced communication gear, medical kits and other essential supplies required for large-scale evacuation and rescue in cyclone-hit regions of Sri Lanka.

Domestically, the NDRF has bolstered preparedness for Cyclone Ditwah with 14 teams deployed across vulnerable coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Mayiladuthurai. Additional teams have been stationed in Puducherry, while 10 more teams from Pune and Vadodara are en route to Chennai.

The force said it is maintaining 24×7 coordination with the IMD, NDMA, state governments, the Ministry of External Affairs and other agencies.

Continuing India’s humanitarian outreach under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, the IAF C-130J aircraft carrying relief supplies touched down in Colombo on Saturday. Updating the situation on X, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar posted:

“Operation Sagar Bandhu unfolds. Indian Air Force C-130J plane carrying approx 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid … lands in Colombo.”

A day earlier, India had delivered urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to Sri Lanka, where Cyclone Ditwah has claimed several lives and affected thousands. The Indian High Commission said INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri had transported 4.5 tonnes of dry rations, 2 tonnes of fresh rations and other essential relief materials for affected families.

“In this challenging moment, India stands firmly with the people of Sri Lanka, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the Neighbourhood First policy,” the High Commission said on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences and reaffirmed India’s support.

“My heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka… India has urgently dispatched relief materials and vital HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu,” he said in a post.

He added that India remains ready to extend further assistance as needed, guided by the Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Ditwah, intensifying over the southwest Bay of Bengal, moved northwards at around 8 km/h and was positioned about 430 km south of Chennai at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday. As the system advanced, Chennai and its neighbouring districts witnessed widespread rainfall and persistent cloudy skies since early morning.