India Rushes Aid and Rescue Teams to Sri Lanka Amid Cyclone Devastation

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India has swiftly dispatched search and rescue teams, along with essential relief materials, to Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, which has claimed 153 lives and left over 200 people missing. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed two urban search and rescue teams, comprising 80 personnel and four dogs, along with nine tonnes of relief materials to Colombo. The relief materials include food items, tents, blankets, and hygiene kits, while the search and rescue teams are equipped with inflatable boats, hydraulic cutting and breaching tools, and medical first-aid kits. The teams have been deployed under Operation Sagar Bandhu, with the goal of providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to affected areas. In addition to the IAF, the Indian Navy has also mobilized its resources, with warships INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri delivering 6.5 tonnes of rations and essential relief items. The Navy has also deployed four helicopters, including two Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant, which have rescued several people in cyclone-hit areas. The Indian High Commission in Colombo has set up an emergency help desk at Bandaranaike International Airport to assist stranded Indian citizens. The Commission has also asked citizens to register their details online or at the help desk, with the goal of facilitating their swift travel back to India. According to the Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre, torrential rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah have affected almost 44,000 people, with many being moved to state-run welfare centres. The cyclone has left massive destruction, with authorities issuing evacuation orders for those living along the Kelani river. India's response to the crisis reflects its established position as the first responder to natural disasters in the Indian Ocean region. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has positioned 14 teams in vulnerable coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, with additional teams being deployed to Puducherry and Chennai. As the situation continues to unfold, India remains committed to providing assistance to Sri Lanka and its people, with the goal of mitigating the effects of the cyclone and ensuring the safety of those affected.