Sri Lanka Receives Major Help from Pakistan and India After Cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lanka faced its worst floods in many years after Cyclone Ditwah struck in late November 2025, leaving nearly a million people affected. Homes, roads, and villages were lost under rising waters, and the island cried out for help. In this moment of need, both Pakistan and India stepped forward, showing how neighbours can stand together when nature brings great hardship.

Pakistan Acts Quickly with Naval Support

Pakistan’s response began the moment the storm’s damage became clear. The Pakistan Navy had its frigate PNS Saif already in Colombo after joining the International Fleet Review 2025. With this presence, Pakistan could act fast. Its Harbin Z-9EC helicopter moved into flooded areas, bringing rescue teams who helped trapped people and delivered food and water to families stuck on rooftops across the city.

Multiple Air Rescues Save Stranded Families

The Pakistani helicopter flew numerous missions over areas such as Colombo and Kotikawatta, where flood levels had cut off entire neighborhoods. Working closely with Sri Lankan officials, the crew lifted stranded people to safety. They also dropped Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief packages, helping families who could not leave their homes. This rapid air support showed how important nearby naval assets are in moments of crisis.

India Launches a Large-Scale Relief Operation

India began its own major effort called Operation Sagar Bandhu, sending ships, aircraft, and trained rescue workers. The operation brought more than fifty tonnes of essential goods, including medical kits, tents, and food supplies. These goods arrived through Indian Navy ships and Indian Air Force aircraft, forming a large and steady line of support that kept reaching Sri Lanka as the floods continued to disrupt daily life.

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Strong Helicopter Support from the Indian Air Force

A key part of India’s help came through air operations. Two MI-17V5 helicopters reached Sri Lanka with twenty-two troop members and many supplies. These helicopters, joined by Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant, worked over flooded districts to pick up injured people, elderly citizens, pregnant women, and young children. Their efforts saved many lives in areas where roads had disappeared beneath rising waters.

NDRF Teams Strengthen Rescue Efforts

India also sent more than eighty members of the National Disaster Response Force to help with dangerous urban rescues. These teams brought tools and training for difficult tasks, such as searching collapsed buildings and entering deep waters safely. By working alongside local units, they made rescue operations faster and more organized, helping communities that had suffered the worst damage.

A Shared Mission in a Time of Need

The combined work of Pakistani and Indian teams helped lift the weight of the disaster from the shoulders of many Sri Lankan families. Their helicopters, rescue crews, and relief packages provided hope when the storm had left people helpless. This shared mission showed the strength of human bonds and the power of quick action in moments shaped by loss.

Hope Rising After the Storm

As Sri Lanka begins to recover, the support from both neighbours stands as a reminder of unity in South Asia. Even in hard times, cooperation can ease pain and bring comfort. The response to Cyclone Ditwah has shown that when nations rise together, even the heaviest storms cannot break the spirit of the region.

Helicopters Used in Relief Operations