Cyclone Ditwah: Indian citizens stranded in Sri Lanka due to Cyclone Ditwah were brought to Thiruvananthapuram by IAF aircraft.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) evacuated more than 200 Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka due to Cyclone Ditwaha and brought them to Thiruvananthapuram Airport on Sunday.

An Indian Air Force spokesperson stated that the aircraft operated from Colombo to Thiruvananthapuram arrived in India at 7:30 p.m. A press release stated, "An additional 135 people are expected to land by 11 p.m. in a C-130J aircraft."

Which aircraft were used?

According to the spokesperson, the IAF's IL-76 and C-130J heavy lift carriers, which were used to transport rescue materials and NDRF teams to the island nation, were used to evacuate the stranded passengers.

India is providing aid to Sri Lanka

The press release stated that the Air Force continues to provide essential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) assistance to the people of Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu. The recent natural disasters in this region have had a severe humanitarian impact.

Following multiple missions, Air Force helicopters have airlifted a total of 57 Sri Lankan Army personnel from the Diyathalawa Army Camp and Colombo to Kotmale. Kotmale is a landslide-affected area in Sri Lanka's Central Province, completely cut off from road access.

Indian Air Force Mission

The spokesperson said the Air Force launched a hybrid mission, in which Garuda Commandos were airdropped near stranded civilians and then transported them to a pre-determined landing site, from where helicopter crews picked them up.

The press release further stated, "A total of 55 civilians, including Indians, foreign nationals, and Sri Lankan survivors, were successfully airlifted to Colombo. Working around the clock, two Indian helicopters have flown more than 12 sorties to support the rescue operation so far."