India Ramps up Relief Flights to Cyclone-Hit Sri Lanka

India has expanded its emergency relief operation to Sri Lanka as the island struggles to recover from Cyclone Ditwah’s catastrophic floods and landslides. An Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster carrying a complete Bailey bridge system and an engineering team landed in Colombo to replace one of 15 bridges destroyed nationwide. The temporary structure will restore transport and rescue access in several cut-off districts.

Indian officials confirmed that multiple plane loads of humanitarian supplies—including medical kits, generators, tents and water purification units have already been flown in, with additional sorties on standby. Colombo has reopened 159 damaged roads, while 95 major routes remain blocked.

India says its swift response reflects “Neighbourhood First” diplomacy, though analysts note that the high-visibility support also strengthens New Delhi’s strategic standing in Sri Lanka as the island faces a recovery bill of up to 3 percent of GDP.

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