The Indian Air Force on Saturday, November 29, 2025, delivered 21 tonnes of relief materials and over 80 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel with eight tonnes of equipment to Sri Lanka. This aid is to help those affected by severe floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah. “In the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah across Sri Lanka, India swiftly launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to bolster relief efforts,” said the Indian Air Force on social media. The IAF deployed one C-130 and one IL-76 aircraft from Hindon Air Base late Friday night, airlifting relief materials and personnel. Essential food items and critical supplies reached Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport around 1:30 a.m., welcomed by Indian High Commission and Sri Lanka Air Force officials. India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu began on November 28 with initial relief materials shipped via Indian Navy ships INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri. The Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre confirmed at least 123 deaths and 130 people missing as of 9 a.m. on November 29 due to floods and landslides. Over 200,000 individuals from 61,000 families have been affected. Kandy district alone reported more than 50 deaths, with verification pending. Badulla district also suffered heavily from landslides with over 35 dead and many missing. Cyclone Ditwah caused serious flooding, overflowing rivers and reservoirs, forcing mass evacuations. The weather bureau warned of over 200 mm more rain, though the cyclone was expected to move away by late November 29. Nearly 35% of Sri Lanka is without power since November 28, impacting around 7 million customers of the Ceylon Electricity Board. Efforts to restore power are slowed by ongoing rain and floods. The Indian Air Force reaffirmed India’s commitment to its neighbor: “Reaffirming the spirit of Neighbourhood first, India stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this hour of need.”