Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu) [India], December 6 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday dispatched 300 tonnes of relief supplies for communities in Sri Lanka affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The consignment—comprising sugar, pulses and milk powder—was sent from Thoothukudi port aboard three Indian Navy ships, each carrying 100 tonnes, and was flagged off by Tamil Nadu Minister for Social Welfare and Women’s Rights P. Geetha Jeevan. The operation was coordinated under the supervision of Thoothukudi District Collector Ilambagavath.
The shipment follows Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s announcement that the state would provide relief support to Sri Lanka in addition to the assistance already being sent by the Centre and the Indian Navy. Geetha Jeevan said Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread devastation across Sri Lanka, leaving thousands without basic necessities. She noted that the Tamil Nadu government had arranged relief materials worth Rs 7.65 crore—totaling 945 metric tonnes—from Chennai and Thoothukudi, with 300 tonnes shipped from Thoothukudi port. Thoothukudi Mayor Jagan Periyasamy and INS Kattabomman Naval Officer Anil Kumar were present at the flag-off.
Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Indian Army has expanded assistance in the region by delivering three sets of Bailey Bridges, airlifted from the Engineer Stores Depot at Delhi Cantt to Colombo to help restore critical connectivity. The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) said over 80 trucks were mobilised within 48 hours to prepare and load the bridge components. The ADGPI said the bridges will provide crucial links for residents, relief teams and recovery operations, and affirmed the Indian Army’s commitment to supporting its neighbour during the crisis.
Lanka Ashok Leyland donated seven utility vehicles valued at over Rs 65 million to Sri Lanka’s relief and rehabilitation efforts. The handover, attended by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and senior Sri Lankan ministers, included an additional Rs 2.5 million contributed by company employees. The vehicles were selected in consultation with Sri Lankan authorities to meet urgent operational needs.
Earlier, the Indian Air Force airlifted a field hospital to Mahiyanganaya near Kandy on December 3; the facility is now fully operational. In its first 24 hours, the hospital provided medical care to about 400 patients, performed 55 minor procedures and carried out a surgical operation, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said.
India’s relief—spanning medical assistance, transport infrastructure and essential supplies—continues to support Sri Lanka’s recovery from Cyclone Ditwah. According to the Daily Mirror Online, citing Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 607 people have died and 214 remain missing due to the ongoing severe weather. The DMC reported that the adverse conditions since November 16 have affected 2,082,195 people from 586,464 families, destroyed 4,164 homes and partially damaged 67,505 others. (ANI)
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