At least 400 Indian nationals stranded at the Colombo airport following the extreme weather conditions in cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, were sent back home on Sunday. Around 150 of them were sent back to Delhi aboard flight C130 while 250 of them were sent to Trivandrum on flight IL 76 from the Bandaranaike International Airport , Sri Lankan officials said. Both the aircraft had arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday carrying food and humanitarian aid for flash floods victims.
As Sri Lanka battled the aftermath of the powerful cyclone Ditwah, Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Dr Satyanjal Pandey, met stranded compatriots at the Colombo airport on Saturday. The Indian High Commission provided food and water to those who needed it, and also assured the stranded Indians that New Delhi will facilitate their swift travel back home.
Sri Lanka declared a State of emergency throughout the island nation after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread devastation as it left a trail of destruction and damage to infrastructure. There was widespread flooding, landslides and severe service disruptions, including flight cancellations. The island nation is a popular tourist destination for Indians. As at 2 am on Sunday, the latest data from Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) showed that at least 212 people have been killed and 218 missing since Thursday across the island nation in cyclone-induced rainfall, floods and landslides.
Earlier on Sunday, the Indian High Commission here said in a post on X: “@Indiainsl is facilitating the swift return home of the Indian passengers stranded in. Evacuation flights by @IAF_MCC and commercial airlines (are) being facilitated today. Every stranded Indian will reach home at the earliest.” Any distressed Indian citizen at the airports or any part of Sri Lanka in need of assistance may reach out to the emergency No +94 773727832. (For WhatsApp also),” it said.
India helps rescue efforts Sri Lanka continued relief and rescue efforts on Sunday with India’s assistance in the aftermath of catastrophic floods and devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah that killed over 190 people. According to the latest figures released by Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre(DMC) at 12 pm on Sunday, 193 people have been killed with 228 missing since Thursday. A whopping 9,68,304 people from 2,66,114 families were affected by the extreme weather, DMC said.
Meanwhile, India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, along with the Indian Air Force, continue to assist Sri Lankan authorities to save precious lives on a war footing. “@NDRFHQ personnel, in close coordination with local authorities, continue to undertake relief operations in Sri Lanka,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted on social media.
India sent two urban search and rescue teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force personnel to the Island nation under Operation Sagar Bandhu, reaffirming the spirit of ‘Neighbourhood First.’ Two Chetak helicopters on board the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant also joined the rescue efforts. In an extraordinary display of courage and grit, a family of four stranded on a rooftop was rescued by a Chetak on Saturday.
“A family of four stranded on a rooftop was rescued by a Chetak helicopter from @IN_R11Vikrant on 29 November 2025. They were safely airlifted and brought to a secure location. #OperationSagarBandhu continues as India stands with the people of Sri Lanka,” the Indian High Commission in Colombo posted on social media. The Indian Air Force has positioned Mi-17 V5 helicopters in Colombo for swift Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
“IAF transport aircraft are earmarked for large-scale evacuation of Indian nationals, with multiple missions planned from Trivandrum and Hindan,” the Indian Air Force posted on social media. Alongside evacuation, essential relief material, including Bhishm cubes and medical supplies, is also being airlifted to support affected communities, it added.
Two transport aircraft of the IAF – C-130J and IL-76 – delivered nearly 21 tonnes of relief material in Colombo on Saturday as part of India’s humanitarian assistance extended to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu. Also, INS Sukanya, carrying more humanitarian aid, has left Visakhapatnam and is expected to reach Sri Lanka soon, officials said on Saturday.
According to an official gazette released by the Sri Lankan government dated Friday and released on Saturday, the state of emergency has been declared throughout the island. With the state of emergency, the government has moved to provide the district secretaries with discretion of expenditure up to 50 million Sri Lankan rupees.
Flood alerts have been issued for most of the eastern suburbs in Sri Lanka’s capital, with people warned to evacuate the region and move to safer locations. Colombo District Secretary Prasanna Ginige said the alerts were issued due to the River Kelani rising to dangerous levels. He said schools in the danger areas are being used as relief centres for the flood displaced.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo is also assisting the stranded Indian passengers here. “@Indiainsl is facilitating the swift return home of the Indian passengers stranded in. Evacuation flights by @IAF_MCC and commercial airlines being facilitated today. Every stranded Indian will reach home at the earliest,” it said. Any distressed Indian citizen at the airports or any part of Sri Lanka in need of assistance may reach out to Rescuers moving people to safety in a submerged area of Colombo, Sri Lanka following flooding .