The Aryavarth Express
Thiruvananthapuram: The last group of Indian passengers stranded at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport following Cyclone Ditwah has safely returned home, the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka confirmed on Monday.
In a post on X, the High Commission stated, “#OperationSagarBandhu. Last batch of Indian passengers stranded in Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo have reached home. 104 stranded Indians reached Thiruvananthapuram onboard an @IAF_MCC aircraft around 6.30 am today.”
The mission also shared that the departing passengers chanted “Bharat Mata ki jai” as they prepared to leave under the coordinated evacuation effort. “Operation Sagar Bandhu bringing smiles. The last batch of Indian passengers… chants ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ as High Commissioner Santosh Jha sees them off before boarding the Indian Air Force aircraft to Thiruvananthapuram,” the High Commission said.
India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to support Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah caused severe flooding and disruption across the island nation. As part of the effort, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Sunday that another Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130J aircraft had landed in Colombo carrying approximately 10 tonnes of disaster relief supplies, BHISHM cubes, and a medical team for on-site support and training.
Evacuation efforts have continued through both commercial airlines and IAF operations. According to the Indian High Commission, an IL-76 aircraft carrying 247 passengers left for Thiruvananthapuram, while a C-130J with 76 passengers departed for Delhi (Hindon). Additional evacuations through commercial flights are ongoing.
The High Commission reaffirmed that it is providing full assistance to all stranded Indian nationals. Those still requiring help have been advised to contact the Emergency Help Desk at +94 773727832 or approach operational airline counters at Colombo airport.
The Indian Air Force noted that, under Operation Sagar Bandhu, an IAF C-17 aircraft also airlifted NDRF teams and equipment from Pune, demonstrating the scale of the domestic support being mobilized. Overall, the operation has delivered 21 tonnes of relief material, over 80 NDRF personnel, and 8 tonnes of equipment to Colombo to aid flood-affected communities.
