The IAF has deployed two transport aircraft -- C-130 and IL-76 -- carrying paramilitary personnel and relief material as part of India's humanitarian assistance extended to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
New Delhi launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to assist Sri Lanka in its hour of crisis in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah. "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 said in a post on X on Saturday.
"The Indian Air Force promptly deployed one C-130 and one IL-76 from Hindan Air Base on the night of Nov 28/29, airlifting 21 tonnes of relief material along with over 80 NDRF personnel and 8 tonnes of equipment to Colombo," it said.
Essential rations and critical supplies have been delivered to support affected communities, officials said. "Reaffirming the spirit of Neighbourhood first, India stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this hour of need," the IAF said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a post on X on Saturday, also shared an update on Operation Sagar Bandhu. "Another @IAF_MCC IL-76 aircraft lands in Colombo with: 9 Tons Relief Material 2 Urban Search and Rescue Teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force Personnel," he said. "A total of around 27 tons of relief material delivered by air and sea. More is on the way! India Sri Lanka. #OperationSagarBandhu continues…," he added.
Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the first tranche of relief materials was handed after the consignments were transported by Indian Navy's aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline ship INS Udaigiri. More than 50 people have been killed in Sri Lanka due to floods and landslides. More than 43,900 people from 12,313 families have been hit by the extreme weather conditions, according to Sri Lankan authorities.
Also read: Floods batter Sri Lanka, 132 dead
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