What Is Operation Sagar Bandhu?
When Cyclone Ditwah tore through Sri Lanka’s eastern coast, it left behind a landscape of destruction, severe flooding, collapsed infrastructure, and a rising death toll that has already crossed 123 lives.
Entire communities were submerged, transport routes were cut off, and rescue agencies were pushed to their limit as heavy rains and powerful winds continued to batter the island.
Also, read| Cyclone Ditwah: Death Toll Climbs To 123 In Sri Lanka As Tamil Nadu, Puducherry On High Alert
In the middle of this humanitarian crisis, India stepped forward with decisive action through Operation Sagar Bandhu, a mission launched to provide rapid assistance to its closest maritime neighbour.
The operation began in the early hours of 29 November 2025, when the Indian Air Force (IAF) mobilised two heavy-lift aircraft, one C-130 and one IL-76, from Hindan Air Base.
Operation Sagar Bandhu | Humanitarian Assistance
In the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah across Sri Lanka, India swiftly launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to bolster relief efforts.
The Indian Air Force promptly deployed one C-130 and one IL-76 from Hindan Air… pic.twitter.com/cIT7gKiPNs
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 29, 2025
These aircraft were loaded with 21 tonnes of relief material, including essential rations, medical supplies, emergency kits, and equipment crucial for search-and-rescue operations.
Also, read| Sri Lanka Hit By Worst Floods In Decades, Killing At Least 69: India Sends Urgent Aid
Alongside the relief cargo, India deployed over 80 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), accompanied by specialised equipment weighing 8 tonnes, such as inflatable rescue boats, hydraulic cutters, breaching tools, communication systems, and first-aid supplies.
By the time the aircraft touched down in Colombo, reports from the ground highlighted the urgency of India’s intervention. One of the most distressing incidents involved 68 passengers stranded on the roof of a bus in Kalaoya, unable to move for nearly 29 hours after floodwaters swept the vehicle onto a bridge.
The Sri Lankan Navy eventually carried out the rescue, but only after battling dangerous conditions, an illustration of the scale of the disaster that required international support.
The name “Sagar Bandhu” comes from Hindi, where “Sagar” means sea and “Bandhu” means friend. The phrase symbolically represents India as a reliable friend across the sea, ready to extend a helping hand whenever neighbouring nations face distress.
Through this operation, India reaffirmed that friendship in the Indian Ocean region is not just a policy statement but a lived commitment during moments of crisis.
