9 months ago
Indian Army Aids Sri Lanka in Cyclone Recovery
A team of 48 Indian Army engineers is helping Sri Lanka after a big storm called Cyclone Ditwah.
They are fixing roads and bridges that got damaged.
The team has special tools like big bridges that can be put together quickly, boats, and even drones.
They are working with the Sri Lankan Army to fix the most important places first.
They already started working on a bridge in Kilinochchi to help people move around again.
Before this, Indian soldiers also set up a hospital to help people who got hurt or sick because of the storm.
Indian Army's Engineer Task Force is restoring communication links in cyclone-hit Sri Lanka as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu.
The 48-personnel team is repairing roads and bridges using specialized equipment like Bailey bridges and drones.
The task force is coordinating with Sri Lankan authorities to prioritize critical sites, starting with Kilinochchi Bridge.
They are equipped with heavy earth-moving equipment, pneumatic boats, and new-generation tools for effective engineering support.
Earlier, an Indian Army contingent established a field hospital in one of the worst-hit areas to provide medical relief.
- Who
- Indian Army Engineer Task Force and Sri Lankan authorities
- What
- Restoration of communication links and infrastructure in cyclone-hit Sri Lanka
- Where
- Sri Lanka, starting with Kilinochchi Bridge
- When
- Ongoing, initiated on a war footing
- Why
- To provide humanitarian assistance and critical engineering support
Key facts
- Operation Name
- Operation Sagar Bandhu
- Task Force Size
- 48 personnel
- Primary Focus
- Restoration of communication links
- Equipment Used
- Bailey bridges, drones, pneumatic boats
- Collaborators
- Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Road Development Authority
- Initial Site
- Kilinochchi Bridge
- Aircraft Used
- C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force
Quotes
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
Government agency responsible for India's foreign affairs
“Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Sri Lanka High Commissioner Mahishini Colonne, and reiterated India’s steadfast commitment to continued support for Sri Lanka’s early recovery and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah.”
thehansindia.com
“As part of the on-going medical assistance being provided under Operation Sagar Bandhu, Foreign Secretary also handed over essential life-saving medicines, the full consignment of which will be airlifted by an IAFC17 to Colombo.”
thehansindia.com
Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka
Diplomatic mission of India in Sri Lanka
“Operation Sagar Bandhu restores critical connectivity. Following the devastating effects of Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, the Indian Army's Shatrujeet Brigade Integrated Task Force swiftly repaired the cyclone-damaged Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) responsible for a widespread communications blackout in Mahiyanganaya, near Kandy. This rapid action successfully restored essential connectivity to affected areas. This reaffirms the India's commitment as a first responder, restoring robust and reliable communication infrastructure when it is needed most.”
thehansindia.com
“Hon. Dr. Muditha Hansaka Wijemuni, Deputy Minister of Health, and Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, visited the field hospital operated by Indian Army in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy. They reviewed the ongoing medical operations and appreciated the critical support being extended to flood-affected communities under Operation Sagar Bandhu.”
thehansindia.com
