A C-130J Aircraft carrying nearly 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid landed in Colombo, as announced by India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday. It was a part of India's Operation Sagar Bandhu, which aims to assist Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah hit the island nation, claiming 80 lives so far.
Taking to X, Jaishankar shared an update, writing, "#Operation Sagar Bandhu unfolds. @IAF_MCC C-130J plane carrying approximately 12 tons of humanitarian aid, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items, lands in Colombo."
Operation Sagar Bandhu was initiated by India as a prompt response to provide relief in Sri Lanka's cyclone-affected areas. The first relief consignments were carried aboard the Indian Navy's aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, and frontline warship, INS Udaygiri, on Friday, and handed over to the Sri Lankan authorities in Colombo.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences, expressing his grief over the loss of lives and solidarity with India's "closest maritime neighbour." He further noted that India had swiftly dispatched relief supplies and critical Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) equipment under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
My heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka who have lost their loved ones due to Cyclone Ditwah. I pray for the safety, comfort and swift recovery of all affected families. In solidarity with our closest maritime neighbour, India has urgently dispatched relief…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2025
PM Modi wrote, "We stand ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves", further stating that it was guided by India's Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.
Cyclone Ditwah has created havoc in Sri Lanka, causing severe floods and landslides, as it is hit with one of the deadliest disasters in recent years. It has led to widespread damage to life and property, with casualties rising.
The weather has been adverse since November 16, with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reporting 61 deaths and 25 people missing. As many as 44,000 individuals from 12,000 families have been affected.