IAF Airlifts 200 Indians From Sri Lanka After Cyclone Ditwah Devastation
IAF jets airlift over 200 Indians from Sri Lanka's cyclone nightmare.
The Indian Air Force executed a swift and coordinated evacuation operation on Sunday, airlifting more than 200 Indian nationals who had been stranded in Sri Lanka following the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah. The cyclone, which departed the island nation on Saturday, unleashed torrential rains and landslides that severed critical road connections, isolating communities and exacerbating humanitarian challenges. By 7:30 pm, the first group of evacuees touched down at Thiruvananthapuram airport aboard an IL-76 heavy-lift aircraft, marking a pivotal phase in India's response to the regional crisis.
Cyclone Ditwah inflicted severe damage across Sri Lanka, claiming over 120 lives and triggering widespread infrastructure failures, particularly in the central province's Kotmale region, where landslides rendered roads impassable. Indian nationals, primarily tourists and business travelers, found themselves cut off from escape routes as airports and transport networks grappled with the aftermath. The stranding highlighted the vulnerabilities of cross-border travel during extreme weather events, prompting urgent diplomatic coordination between New Delhi and Colombo to secure safe passage for affected citizens.
In a display of operational prowess, the IAF deployed IL-76 and C-130J aircraft—previously utilized to ferry rescue materials and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to Sri Lanka—for the repatriation flights. These assets, part of the broader Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework under Operation Sagar Bandhu, facilitated the seamless transfer of evacuees from Colombo to Indian soil. A defence spokesman confirmed that an additional 135 personnel were slated to arrive by 11 pm on a C-130J flight, underscoring the scale and efficiency of the mission.
Complementing the airlift, IAF helicopters conducted over 12 round-the-clock sorties to extract personnel from remote, landslide-hit zones. Garud Commandos spearheaded hybrid ground-air operations, descending into affected areas to escort 55 civilians—including Indians, foreign nationals, and Sri Lankan survivors—to designated landing sites for helicopter pickup. The force also airlifted 57 Sri Lankan Army personnel from Diyathalawa Camp and Colombo to Kotmale, demonstrating India's commitment to bilateral solidarity amid the disaster.
This evacuation exemplifies the Indian government's proactive stance on citizen safety abroad, with authorities vowing continued HADR support to Sri Lanka as recovery efforts intensify. The operation not only alleviated immediate perils for the stranded individuals but also reinforced regional ties, positioning India as a reliable partner in times of calamity. As assessments of Cyclone Ditwah's toll continue, the focus shifts to rebuilding and preventing future vulnerabilities in the Indian Ocean rim.
Also Read: Sri Lanka Emergency: 153 Dead due to Cyclone Ditwah; India Delivers 27 Tonnes Aid
