After Cyclone Ditva caused massive devastation in Sri Lanka, India has intensified its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu, since November 28, it has transported 53 tonnes of relief material through air and sea routes and more than 1500 Indians stranded in the island country have been brought home.
The statement said that India had launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28 to provide immediate search and rescue and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) assistance to our nearest maritime neighbor. India has provided aid to Colombo by both sea and air routes, using Indian Air Force transport aircraft and frontline naval ships.
India extended a helping hand
Immediately after the cyclone, the Government of India, in coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, immediately handed over 9.5 tonnes of emergency ration to Colombo, transported by two Indian Navy ships – INS Vikrant and frigate INS Udayagiri. Along with this, tents, tarpaulin, blankets, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat food items, medicines and surgical equipment, two Bhishma cubes along with a medical team of 5 persons were also sent for on-site training.
53 tons of relief material handed over
To assist in the rescue efforts, three Indian Air Force aircraft were deployed to deliver 31.5 tonnes of relief material along with 80-person special urban search and rescue (USAR) teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and an additional 12 tonnes of relief material was sent aboard Indian Naval Ship Sukanya (in Trincomalee). A total of 53 tonnes of relief material has been handed over so far.
Saved citizens of many countries
Chetak helicopters of INS Vikrant and MI-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force, along with the Sri Lankan Air Force, carried out a massive rescue operation and airlifted the stranded people, including pregnant women, infants and seriously injured people. Those rescued included citizens of Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Slovenia, United Kingdom, South Africa, Poland, Belarus, Iran, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
NDRF teams are conducting search and rescue operations in various severely affected and isolated areas of Sri Lanka. They are also helping flood affected families and ensuring their immediate safety. A total of 121 people have been rescued and provided assistance in these joint operations, which are ongoing.
1500 Indians were brought back
Indian citizens stranded due to Cyclone Ditva were also evacuated through three special flights of the Indian Air Force and three commercial flights, in which around 1500 stranded Indians have already been brought back. Guided by India’s Neighbor First Policy and Vision Ocean, India remains a first responder, standing in solidarity with the Government and people of Sri Lanka at this difficult time, and is committed to supporting the ongoing rescue, relief and early recovery efforts.
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