Colombo, Sri Lanka – In a significant act of humanitarian support, India has sent vital relief supplies to aid Sri Lanka amid one of its most severe flooding crises in decades. A C130 aircraft loaded with crucial food items, hygiene products, and emergency supplies arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo around 1:30 am, where it was greeted by representatives from the Indian High Commission and the Sri Lanka Air Force.
This relief mission is a part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, initiated by India to provide assistance to Sri Lanka in light of this unprecedented disaster. Previously, supplies were delivered via the Indian Navy's aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the frontline ship INS Udaigiri. The situation is alarming, with Sri Lankan officials warning of an escalating disaster in the Western Province due to swelling river levels in the Kelani and Attanagalu, which have inundated large areas and disrupted everyday activities.
The extent of the disaster is dire. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported 69 fatalities so far, with 34 individuals still unaccounted for. Over 200,000 people from more than 61,000 households have been impacted. Kandy in the Central Province has seen particularly high casualties, and local authorities suggest the actual death toll might be significantly higher. The Badulla district in the central hills has also faced severe landslides, leading to numerous casualties and people missing.
Cyclone Ditwah has worsened the conditions, causing rivers and reservoirs around the island to overflow. Authorities are urging residents in at-risk areas to evacuate without delay. The Sri Lankan meteorological services predict further rainfall, potentially exceeding 200 millimeters in the coming day, although the cyclone is anticipated to move away by late Saturday.
Currently, around 35 percent of the country is facing power outages, affecting approximately seven million residents. Restoration efforts have been hampered by ongoing flooding and rainfall. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended condolences for the lost lives and reaffirmed that New Delhi will persist in offering support as the situation evolves.
This relief operation signifies a notable advancement in cooperation between India and Sri Lanka during times of crisis, showcasing prompt humanitarian aid in response to one of the island's most destructive floods in years.
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