India Sets Up Emergency Help Desk In Colombo To Assist Citizens Hit By Cyclone Ditwah

Colombo : The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has set up an Emergency Help Desk at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo to support Indian citizens affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Mission announced the adjustment in an update released on X.

According to the High Commission, Indian citizens encountering trouble at any airport or point in Sri Lanka can contact the emergency number +94 773727832, which can also be accessed via WhatsApp. The mission said it is currently helping Indian passengers stranded at BIA by providing them with basic needs such as food and drinking water.

The help desk comes as Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on Wednesday and brought record rainfall in many regions. Extreme weather conditions caused severe flooding and landslides, especially in low-lying areas in the Kelani river basin, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people.

Sri Lankan armed forces deployed helicopters and boats to conduct rescue operations in the affected areas.

As the situation worsened, India dispatched special disaster response teams and emergency relief teams to support ongoing rescue efforts. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said two teams of 80 personnel were sent in the early hours of Friday on the instructions of the Central government.

The teams took off with the IL-76 aircraft at 04.06 and landed in Colombo at 08.10 to begin coordinated operations with Sri Lankan authorities.

Besides deploying personnel, India transported around 21 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, including tents, blankets, mattresses, care kits and other essential supplies required for emergency relief. This aid forms part of a larger support effort as Sri Lanka grapples with widespread flooding, infrastructure damage and mass displacement triggered by the cyclone.

In addition to Friday’s deployment, India had airlifted two more NDRF teams before dawn on Wednesday. A total of 80 rescuers and four dogs were flown in the Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-76 as Colombo braced for heavy damage from the cyclone.

The teams, led by 8th Battalion Commander PK Tiwary, carried specialized HADR equipment including inflatable boats, hydraulic cutting tools, breaching equipment, communication systems and medical kits.

The Indian Air Force said Operation Sagar Bandhu was launched after the extent of destruction became clear. In a late night statement on Thursday, the IAF confirmed that on the night of 28/29 November 2025, a C-130 and an IL-76 were mixed from Hindan Air Base and transported over 21 tonnes of relief material, over 80 NDRF personnel and 8 tonnes of special equipment to Colombo.

According to the IAF, the shipment includes rations and critical materials required for immediate humanitarian support in the most affected areas. The rapid mobilization aims to strengthen local authorities working to restore normalcy in the affected areas.

The operation reflects India’s neighbourhood-first policy; New Delhi reiterated that it “stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this time of need” as rescue and relief efforts intensify across the island.