Colombo – A mobile hospital established by India in Sri Lanka has treated over 2,200 individuals affected by Cyclone Ditwah, as New Delhi intensifies its relief efforts in the flood-stricken island nation through engineering assistance and the delivery of new relief supplies. The Indian mission announced this on Sunday, highlighting the ongoing support under "Operation Sagar Bandhu".
Sri Lanka has been struggling with extensive flooding, landslides, and severe infrastructural damage caused by the cyclone, which has isolated several districts and severely strained the country's disaster response capabilities. As of Sunday noon, at least 627 people have died, and 190 remain missing due to the catastrophic floods and landslides resulting from the extreme weather conditions since November 16.
The Indian High Commission shared a social media post by the Ministry of External Affairs on its X handle, stating that the field hospital, set up in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy, has provided medical care to over 2,200 cyclone victims since December 5. The hospital has also performed 67 minor procedures and three surgeries. The fully operational field hospital has been established to deliver urgent, life-saving medical assistance to affected residents. The facility brings trauma care, surgical capabilities, ambulances, and critical services directly to the hard-hit community.
An Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft airlifted the field hospital to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, along with a 78-member Indian medical team.
In a separate post, the Indian mission reported that Indian Army engineers, in collaboration with Sri Lanka Army Engineers and the Road Development Authority in Kilinochchi, have commenced the removal of a damaged bridge on the Paranthan–Karachchi–Mullaitivu road, a crucial route disrupted by the cyclone. According to the mission, this joint effort is another step toward restoring vital connectivity for the affected communities. Furthermore, another IAF C-17 Globemaster landed in Colombo with Bailey bridge units to restore road accessibility. A team of 25 personnel, including engineers and medical experts, also arrived on the aircraft.
India has additionally dispatched nearly 1,000 tonnes of food items and clothing, contributed by the people of Tamil Nadu. Approximately 300 tonnes reached Colombo on Sunday morning aboard three Indian Naval ships, and High Commissioner Santosh Jha handed over the supplies to Sri Lankan Minister for Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe.
India was the first country to respond to Sri Lanka's appeal for assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu. Since the launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28, India has provided more than 58 tonnes of relief material, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, water purification kits, and approximately 4.5 tonnes of medicines and surgical equipment. Additionally, 50 tonnes of equipment, including generators, inflatable rescue boats, and Outboard Motors, have been provided, and 130 tonnes of Bailey Bridge units have been airlifted along with 31 engineers to restore critical connectivity. Two columns of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising 80 experts and K9 units with specially trained dogs, conducted rescue and relief operations, evacuating around 150 stranded persons.
India's swift and comprehensive response to Cyclone Ditwah has reaffirmed its role as the region's most dependable first responder. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of India's full support under the Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) principles.
