Lt Col Singh Highlights India-Sri Lanka Collaboration in Cyclone Ditwah Relief Efforts
Lieutenant Colonel Anuj Singh of the Indian Army has underscored the essence of "brotherhood" and trust shared between India and Sri Lanka during the humanitarian aid operations executed in response to Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in late 2025.
Discussing Operation Sagar Bandhu, Lt Col Singh elaborated on how swiftly the Indian Armed Forces acted as first responders to aid Sri Lanka in restoring connectivity and providing relief to the impacted areas.
The cyclone inflicted significant damage throughout Sri Lanka, sweeping away bridges, causing landslides, flooding roads, and cutting off several communities from essential services such as education and healthcare.
Lt Col Singh, who participated in the mission as part of the Indian Army’s 48-member Engineer Task Force, spoke about the various challenges encountered, including difficult terrains, landslide-prone regions, and severe flooding.
Despite these hurdles, Indian military contingents achieved the restoration of crucial communication lines through meticulous planning, reconnaissance, and collaboration with Sri Lankan authorities.
A key aspect of the operation was the rapid deployment of Bailey bridges, which were airlifted from India using Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. These modular bridges were swiftly assembled to reconnect isolated regions, facilitating the movement of civilians, relief materials, and emergency services.
Lt Col Singh highlighted the collaborative efforts of Indian Army engineers, who worked closely alongside the Sri Lanka Army and local agencies during this mission.
He portrayed the operation as evidence of the robust camaraderie, mutual trust, and enduring partnership shared by the two nations.
Operation Sagar Bandhu involved a concerted effort by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, which provided relief supplies, medical aid, engineering support, and satellite internet connectivity to the affected areas.
Officials remarked that the mission reaffirmed India's position as a dependable regional first responder and underscored the strengthening humanitarian and strategic cooperation between India and Sri Lanka during crises.
