The Indian Air Pressure, in shut coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, on Sunday executed main rescue and evacuation missions within the island nation’s landslide-hit Kotmale area, which stays fully remoted because of highway disruption after Cyclone Ditwah.
All through the day, IAF helicopters evacuated 45 stranded people, together with 6 essential casualties and 4 infants, transporting them safely to Colombo.
Amongst these rescued had been 12 Indian nationals and a big group of overseas nationals from a number of nations, alongside Sri Lankan residents.
To strengthen reduction operations on the bottom, the IAF additionally airlifted 57 Sri Lankan Military personnel into the affected zone to help ongoing rescue and clearance efforts.
The IAF additionally inducted the Bhishm capsule and Medical workforce whereas airlifting greater than 400 Indians again to India until 8 p.m. Extra sorties are deliberate.
Earlier, the IAF mentioned that it carried out a hybrid rescue mission, below Operation Sagar Bandhu, to extricate stranded passengers from a restricted zone in Sri Lanka because the island nation continues to face harsh climate situations because of Cyclone Ditwah.
In an announcement on X, the IAF said {that a} Garud commando was winched all the way down to information the group to a helipad at Kotmale, from the place 24 passengers had been evacuated to Colombo.
“IAF helicopters undertook a hybrid rescue mission to extricate stranded passengers from a restricted zone. A Garud commando was winched all the way down to information the group by way of cross-country path to a pre-briefed helipad at Kotmale, from the place 24 passengers — together with Indians, overseas nationals and Sri Lankans — had been evacuated to Colombo,” Indian Air Pressure – Media Co-ordination Centre posted on X.
“In a parallel effort, three essential casualties had been airlifted to Colombo for fast medical consideration. Earlier, 5 groups of Sri Lankan Military personnel (40 troops) had been airlifted from Diyathalawa Military Camp to the landslide-affected Kotmale area to help reduction operations,” it added.
In response to the IAF’s assertion, Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “Operation Sagar Bandhu.”
Earlier within the day, the Indian Excessive Fee in Sri Lanka said: “A household of 4 stranded on a rooftop was rescued by a Chetak helicopter from INS Vikrant on 29 November 2025. They had been safely airlifted and dropped at a safe location. Operation Sagar Bandhu continues as India stands with the folks of Sri Lanka.”
In the meantime, the Nationwide Catastrophe Response Pressure (NDRF) personnel have intensified reduction operations in Sri Lanka.
Sharing footage of the reduction operations performed by NDRF personnel in Sri Lanka on X, Exterior Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar mentioned: “NDRF personnel, in shut coordination with native authorities, proceed to undertake reduction operations in Sri Lanka. Operation Sagar Bandhu.”
Sri Lanka has been experiencing relentless rain, flash floods and landslides because of Cyclone Ditwah and the ensuing climate system. As many as 153 folks have died, and not less than 191 folks stay lacking because of extreme climate triggered by the cyclone as rescue operations intensify, main Sri Lankan information outlet, Day by day Mirror, reported, citing the Catastrophe Administration Centre (DMC).
Police Headquarters in Sri Lanka has urged folks to keep away from broken roads, bridges, and unsafe areas impacted by the latest extreme climate, noting that a lot of folks had been gathering at these locations. The Highway Growth Authority (RDA) has already began fast restoration work on all impacted roads and bridges. Nevertheless, police warned that individuals visiting these unstable areas pose critical security dangers.
The Authorities Medical Officers’ Affiliation (GMOA) has arrange a particular Catastrophe Administration Coordination Centre to bolster medical help and reduction efforts for folks affected by the extreme climate situations in Sri Lanka, Day by day Mirror reported. The GMOA said that the particular hotline established earlier to help these impacted by the catastrophe stays lively.