December 5, 2025 9:33 AM

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Sri Lanka Cyclone Ditwah: Disaster Toll Rises to 486; India Expands Operation Sagar Bandhu

Sri Lanka’s disaster toll has risen sharply, with the Disaster Management Centre confirming 486 deaths and 341 people missing. More than 1.71 lakh individuals from over 51,000 families remain displaced and sheltered in 1,231 relief centres nationwide. Amid continuing hardship, India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu has expanded its emergency response. Indian efforts continue through the airlifting of stranded victims, providing medical assistance and helping re-establish connectivity.

 

As Sri Lanka continues to reel under the worst devastation in decades caused by Cyclone Ditwah, India’s assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu remains a critical lifeline on the ground. The human toll remains staggering, with lives lost, families displaced, and communities cut off. IAF helicopters are continuing to airlift the stranded to safety, while engineering teams race to rebuild vital links using rapidly deployable Bailey Bridges. So far, India has sent three rapidly deployable bridges that will help in establishing connectivity because of destroyed bridges. In flood-hit Indivitiya, the Aarogya Maitri BHISHM Cube has restored essential medical services, treating hundreds.