THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Dec 1: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has rescued more than 300 Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah wreaked havoc across the island nation, disrupting connectivity and leaving thousands marooned. The evacuees were airlifted to Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday evening under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India’s ongoing humanitarian assistance mission.
According to Defence officials, IAF’s IL-76 and C-130J heavy-lift aircraft—initially deployed to transport relief supplies and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams—were repurposed to evacuate stranded passengers from Colombo. The flights landed at Thiruvananthapuram airport by 7:30 pm.
The IAF also conducted multiple rescue missions within Sri Lanka using helicopters, which airlifted 57 Sri Lankan Army personnel from the Diyathalawa Army Camp and Colombo to Kotmale—an area in the Central Province completely cut off by massive landslides. A hybrid rescue operation was carried out by deploying Garud Commandos near clusters of stranded civilians, guiding them to designated landing sites, and extracting them safely.
In total, 55 civilians—including Indians, Sri Lankans and foreign nationals—were evacuated from disaster-hit zones to Colombo. The two IAF helicopters involved have completed over 12 sorties so far, operating round the clock to support search, rescue and relief operations.
India’s continued assistance underscores its commitment to humanitarian support for neighbouring nations during natural disasters. Operation Sagar Bandhu remains ongoing as Sri Lanka struggles with the widespread destruction left by Cyclone Ditwah.
