Car swept away by floodwaters collides with train
Yet another C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force airlifted 63 tonnes of Bailey Bridge equipment today (Dec. 09) to Sri Lanka.
This is the fourth consignment of Bailey Bridge equipment, being airlifted to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the cyclone, weighing about a total of 248 tonnes.
In parallel, Indian Army Engineers have commenced the construction of a Bailey Bridge in Kilinochchi along the A35 Paranthan – Karachchi – Mullaitivu road, which was damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. Construction work is currently underway to restore vital connectivity and enable the movement of people and essential supplies.
Meanwhile, two MI-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force, which were actively engaged in evacuation operations and airlifting relief material alongside Sri Lankan Air Force, since Nov 29, 2025, successfully completed their HADR Mission and returned to India for mandatory maintenance and turnover. Further another new MI-17 helicopter from the Indian Air Force arrived in Sri Lanka to continue assistance to Sri Lankan Air Force in their relief efforts.
In addition, the government of Tamil Nadu had sent nearly 1,000 MT of essential food items and clothing to Sri Lanka. Yesterday (Dec. 08), the Indian Naval ship INS Gharial, carrying approximately 700 MT of these relief supplies arrived in Trincomalee and the consignment was handed over to the Sri Lankan authorities.
Meanwhile, On Dec. 07, around 300 MT of relief material from Tamil Nadu had arrived in Colombo aboard three Indian Naval Ships. The Colombo consignment was formally handed over by the High Commissioner of India – Santosh Jha, to the Minister for Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development – Wasantha Samarasinghe.
India dispatched an additional MI-17 helicopter to assist the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) in ongoing air rescue missions today (09). Two MI-17 V5 helicopters of the Indian Air Force had been operating in Sri Lanka from 29 November, conducting around 90 sorties, rescuing approximately 270 survivors, airlifting about 50 tonnes of relief material to inaccessible areas and relief camps and deploying 57 Sri Lankan troops to cut-off locations.
Having completed their flying hours, the two helicopters returned to India yesterday (08) for mandatory maintenance and a fresh MI-17 aircraft arrived at Katunayake Airport to continue operations alongside the SLAF.
#OperationSagarBandhu stands with Sri Lanka.
Yet another @IAF_MCC C17 Globemaster, airlifted about 63 tonnes of Bailey Bridge units to 🇱🇰 today (09), reiterating India's unwavering commitment to 🇱🇰's recovery and rehabilitation in the wake of #CycloneDitwah.
This is the fourth… pic.twitter.com/Gy81xZgMTZ— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) December 9, 2025
