India’s ongoing humanitarian relief mission, Operation Sagar Bandhu, has made significant progress as an Indian medical team set up a fully operational field hospital in Mahiyanganaya, near Kandy, to support communities hit hard by Cyclone Ditwah, one of the most devastating tropical storms to impact Sri Lanka in recent years.
In a post on X on Friday, the High Commission of India in Colombo said the facility is being established to deliver urgent, life-saving medical assistance to affected residents.
“Operation Sagar Bandhu continues healing on the ground. A fully operational field hospital is being set up by the Indian medical team in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy, bringing trauma care, surgical capability, ambulances and critical services directly to a hard-hit community. Ensuring those impacted have access to urgent, life-saving medical support,” the High Commission posted.
India has been extending sustained humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka through coordinated rescue, medical, and relief efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
Earlier, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster landed in Colombo on Thursday carrying Bailey bridge units to help restore road connectivity.
A team of 25 personnel, including engineers and medical experts, also arrived on the aircraft, the MEA stated.
“Another IAF MCC C-17 Globemaster has landed in Colombo with Bailey bridge units to restore road accessibility. A team of 25 personnel, including engineers and medical experts also arrived in this flight,” Jaiswal wrote.
According to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the death toll from the severe weather across the country has climbed to 481 as of 6:00 pm on Thursday, the Daily Mirror Online reported.
The latest update also noted that 345 people remain missing, as search, rescue, and relief operations continue in several of the worst-affected districts.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology on Friday issued a red alert for intense lightning in parts of the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, and in the districts of Galle and Matara, valid until 11:00 pm today, according to the Daily Mirror Online.
Seven districts are currently under red alerts, while eight others are under amber alerts due to heightened lightning risk.
(ANI)
