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Cyclone Ditwah: IAF delivers 21 tonnes of relief material in Sri Lanka as India plans evacuation

On Saturday, two transport aircraft of the IAF – C-130J and IL-76 – delivered nearly 21 tonnes of relief material to Colombo as a part of India's humanitarian assistance extended to Sri Lanka.

2 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Nov 30, 2025 02:20 AM IST

Operation Sagar Bandhu: Two IAF transport aircraft deliver aid, INS Sukanya on way to Sri Lanka

The Indian Air Force promptly deployed one C-130 and one IL-76 from the Hindan Air Base on the night of November 28/29. (Credit: X/@IAF_MCC)

As the death toll rose to over 150 in cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, India is planning evacuation flights after sending around 21 tonnes of relief materials in two military transport aircraft under its “Operation Sagar Bandhu”.

Sources said evacuation of stranded Indians is being planned with the help of Air force and Air India flights. But, if the commercial operations start, then they will be utilised for the evacuation flights.

On Saturday, two transport aircraft of the IAF – C-130J and IL-76 – delivered nearly 21 tonnes of relief material to Colombo as a part of India’s humanitarian assistance extended to Sri Lanka.

Also, INS Sukanya, carrying more humanitarian aid, has left Visakhapatnam and is expected to reach Sri Lanka soon, sources said. “A C-130J transport aircraft carrying approximately 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items, landed in Colombo this morning,” a source said.

An IL-76 aircraft carrying 9 tonnes of relief material, 80 NDRF personnel, four canines, and 8 tonnes of NDRF HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) equipment also landed in Colombo on Saturday morning, the official added.

Besides, two Chetak helicopters from the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant are participating in the search and rescue operations with Sri Lanka Air Force personnel on board, they said. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India has provided 4.5 tonnes of dry ration, two tonnes of fresh ration, and other essential relief items from INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri to assist the affected families, the officials said.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo is assisting the stranded Indians at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

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