IAF launches massive evacuation after Cyclone Ditwaha traps citizens of multiple nations in Sri Lanka
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) - Cyclone Ditwaha has caused massive devastation in Sri Lanka. Amidst this devastation, the Indian Air Force is leading an international relief and rescue operation in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that under "Operation Sagar Bandhu," the Indian Air Force has evacuated citizens of several countries stranded in Sri Lanka.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on the social media platform 'X' that as part of India's ongoing Operation Sagar Bandhu in Sri Lanka, Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopters evacuated people stranded in Sri Lanka, including citizens of Germany, South Africa, Slovenia and the United Kingdom. Earlier, the Indian Air Force posted on the social media platform 'X' saying that IAF helicopters carried out a hybrid rescue operation to evacuate stranded passengers from a restricted area.
A Garuda Commando was airlifted across the country to a pre-designated helipad in Kotmale, from where the 24 passengers, comprising Indians, foreign nationals, and Sri Lankans, were airlifted to Colombo. Three critically injured passengers were also airlifted to Colombo for immediate medical assistance. According to the Air Force, the passengers were trapped in a restricted area due to landslides and adverse weather conditions in the Kotmale region of Sri Lanka. IAF helicopters conducted a hybrid rescue mission to rescue the passengers. An IAF Garuda Commando was winched from the helicopter and safely transported the group from the difficult terrain to a pre-designated helipad. The helicopters then rescued the 24 passengers, including Indian nationals, foreign nationals, and Sri Lankans.
According to the Air Force, all of them have been safely airlifted to Colombo. In a parallel effort, three seriously injured individuals were also airlifted for immediate medical assistance. Five Sri Lankan Army teams were present at the scene to reinforce relief efforts. Forty Sri Lankan soldiers were airlifted from the Diyatalawa Army Camp and deployed in the landslide-affected Kotmale area.