India launches ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, rushes aid to Sri Lanka as Cyclone Ditwah leaves at least 80 dead | World News

At least 80 people have lost their lives in Sri Lanka as the island nation faces one of its worst disasters, with Cyclonic Storm Ditwah tearing through the country and triggering severe floods and landslides that have left widespread destruction and heavy damage to infrastructure.Sri Lanka’s weather turned extreme last week, bringing heavy downpour on Thursday that flooded homes, fields, and roads, while also setting off landslides. Officials say more than 600 houses have already been damaged.
The weather bureau warned that even more rain—over 200 mm—was likely, although Ditwah was expected to move away from the island late Saturday.
IAF, Indian Navy rush relief material under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’
Responding to Sri Lanka’s crisis, India on Friday rolled out ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu,’ delivering the first batch of relief materials transported the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the frontline ship INS Udaigiri.
An Indian Air Force C130 J aircraft carrying emergency supplies — food essentials and sanitary items—landed at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport around 1:30 am, where it was received officials from the Indian High Commission and the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The assance comes as Sri Lankan authorities warned of an “unprecedented disaster situation” in the Western Province from Friday night, with water levels in the Kelani and Attanagalu rivers rising dangerously.
External Affairs Miner S. Jaishankar also took to X to acknowledge the beginning of the operation. “#OperationSagarBandhu unfolds. @IAF_MCC C-130 J plane carrying approx 12 tons of humanitarian aid including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items lands in Colombo,” he wrote.

#OperationSagarBandhu unfolds. @IAF_MCC C-130 J plane carrying approx 12 tons of humanitarian aid including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items lands in Colombo.
🇮🇳 🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/btzlnZeO8x
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 29, 2025
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 69 deaths had been confirmed 6 am on Saturday, while at least 34 people were still missing. More than 200,000 people from 61,000 families have been affected.Story continues below this ad
However, officials handling relief in Kandy in the Central Province said the real toll could be much higher, noting that deaths in the Kandy drict alone had risen to more than 50 late Friday night, though these numbers had not yet been officially verified.
Badulla, in the central hills, has also been devastated landslides, with many people missing and over 35 confirmed dead.
Around 35 per cent of the island has been without electricity since early Friday, leaving about seven million Ceylon Electricity Board customers affected.
A consignment of Indian humanitarian aid being sent to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka as part of ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’. (@DrSJaishankar/X)
Efforts to restore power and carry out other repairs continue to be hampered relentless rain and ongoing flooding.Story continues below this ad
In view of conditions worsening, the Sri Lankan government had announced closure of all government offices and schools on Friday.
Cyclone Ditwah update
The approaching Cyclone Ditwah has put the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh on high alert. Several dricts are now under Red and Orange warnings because of the expected heavy rain, powerful winds, and potential flooding.
The cyclone is predicted to hit the Indian coastline on Sunday, November 30.
The weather department said cyclonic storm Ditwah has moved from Sri Lanka and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal to north-northwestwards with a speed of 7 kmph last night. “It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards across coastal Sri Lanka and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal and reach over southwest Bay of Bengal near North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts early morning of November 30,” the IMD said.
(With PTI inputs)