Colombo: The last batch of Indian passengers stranded at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo after Cyclone Ditwah were evacuated on Monday under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka announced.

In a post on X, the mission said Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha saw off the passengers before they boarded an Indian Air Force aircraft to Thiruvananthapuram. The High Commission noted that the departing travellers chanted "Bharat Mata ki jai" as they prepared to leave under the coordinated evacuation effort.
 

India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to support Sri Lanka after the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. On Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed the arrival of another Indian Air Force aircraft carrying relief supplies.

Sharing the update on X, he wrote, "Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, another Indian Air Force aircraft C130J carrying approx 10 tons of disaster response supplies, BHISHM Cubes and a medical team for on-site training and support has landed in Colombo."

The High Commission also said that evacuation efforts continue, with both commercial airlines and IAF flights transporting stranded Indians back home. According to the mission, "Evacuation of Indian passengers stranded in Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah continues through commercial airlines and Indian Air Force flights. Two Indian Air Force flights, an IL 76 with 247 passengers to Thiruvananthapuram and a C 130 J with 76 passengers to Delhi (Hindon), have taken off from Colombo. Further evacuation of stranded passengers through commercial airlines is also underway."

Reiterating support for affected travellers, the mission added, "Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka is providing all assistance to stranded Indian passengers and facilitating their swift travel back home. Any stranded Indian passenger in Sri Lanka can reach out on the Emergency Help Desk No: +94 773727832 or reach out to the Airline counters now operational at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo."

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force noted that its C-17 aircraft had transported NDRF teams and equipment from Pune as part of the ongoing humanitarian effort. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India has delivered 21 tonnes of relief material, more than 80 NDRF personnel, and 8 tonnes of equipment to support flood-hit communities in Sri Lanka.


ANI