An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft has arrived in Sri Lanka, carrying 80 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), including four women and four trained sniffer dogs. The aircraft also brought essential disaster relief supplies and rescue equipment to support ongoing operations.
The Sri Lanka Air Force confirmed the arrival via social media, announcing, “The IL-76 IAF aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka carrying 80 NDRF personnel, including four females, four sniffer dogs, disaster relief supplies, and rescue equipment to assist with current relief efforts.”
The aircraft departed from Hindon Air Base in the early morning, transporting two NDRF teams consisting of 80 rescuers and four canines. Under the leadership of P K Tiwary, Commandant of the 8th Battalion, the teams were equipped with specialized Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) gear. This included inflatable boats, hydraulic cutting tools, communication systems, medical first-aid kits, and other crucial supplies tailored for rescue operations in areas affected by cyclones.
This international assistance underscores the NDRF’s commitment to maintaining robust readiness within India. Currently, 14 teams are stationed in vulnerable coastal districts across Tamil Nadu, such as Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, and Mayiladuthurai.
Additional teams have been assigned to Puducherry, and 10 more rescuers from the 5th and 6th Battalions are en route to Chennai to enhance preparedness.
NDRF remains actively engaged in ongoing monitoring efforts, collaborating with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), state administrations, the Ministry of External Affairs, and other agencies to ensure swift and effective response measures both domestically and internationally.
On Friday, India further expanded its aid through Operation Sagar Bandhu, marking the first delivery of relief materials in Sri Lanka, facilitated by the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the frontline warship INS Udaigiri.
Original Source: https://tripurachronicle.in/national-news/operation-sagar-bandhu-iaf-il-76-lands-in-sri-lanka-with-80-ndrf-personnel-relief-supplies/
Category: National News
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Publish Date: 2025-11-29 15:24:00
