Since the launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28, 2025, India has provided extensive humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah.
The relief effort has delivered around 58 tonnes of relief material including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, essential clothing, water purification kits, and about 4.5 tonnes of medicines and surgical equipment. In addition to these supplies, India has transported roughly 60 tonnes of disaster-response equipment, including generators, inflatable rescue boats, outboard motors and excavators, to assist in rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
A substantial infrastructure support package has also been delivered under the operation. Modular bridge components — enough to span 110 feet — along with 44 engineers, were airlifted to Sri Lanka to help restore critical connectivity in areas where bridges were washed away.
Medical support has been a central part of the assistance: a fully equipped field hospital staffed by 78 Indian medical personnel was deployed near Mahiyanganaya, in the Kandy region, to deliver emergency care and surgical services. As of December 6, 2025, the field hospital had treated 871 patients, carried out 74 minor procedures and successfully conducted four surgeries.
In addition to the field hospital, modular medical units and temporary centres have been set up in other heavily affected areas including Ja-Ela and Negombo, bringing critical healthcare access to communities where local infrastructure has been severely damaged.
The relief operation has also involved wide-ranging rescue and evacuation efforts. Columns of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with specially trained K9 units, were deployed in affected zones to conduct search-and-rescue missions, evacuate stranded people, and assist with delivering relief.
Air and naval assets of India have played a key role: transport aircraft have airlifted relief consignments, medical supplies and equipment; helicopters have evacuated critical patients and stranded civilians; and Indian Navy vessels have provided rescue and relief support along with delivery of essential items.
The scale and multidimensional nature of assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu — combining emergency relief, medical care, rescue operations, infrastructure support and reconstruction efforts — reflect a comprehensive humanitarian response aimed at stabilising, rehabilitating and rebuilding communities across Sri Lanka impacted by Cyclone Ditwah.
