Sri Lanka’s recovery from Cyclone Ditwah gains momentum as Indian engineers complete a pivotal 120-foot Bailey bridge on the B-492 highway. This third structure in Operation Sea Brothers revives connectivity between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, areas crippled for weeks by the cyclone’s fury.
New Delhi’s aid mission kicked off immediately after the storm battered the island with relentless rain, floods, and landslides. The Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force B-492 has excelled, already erecting two bridges in Jaffna and Kandy. Their latest success at KM 15 restores a lifeline that was buried under debris for over a month.
Life in Central Province had ground to a halt. Travel stalled, food and medicine couldn’t reach villages, and ambulances faced impassable routes. The disaster fragmented communities, amplifying the human toll of nature’s rage.
India stepped up as a steadfast ally. Beyond delivering relief supplies, Operation Sea Brothers focuses on reconstruction. Navy ships ferried aid, while ground teams cleared rubble and rebuilt pathways. This collaborative effort highlights India’s proactive diplomacy in South Asia.
The new bridge buzzes with activity already. Trucks haul goods, families reunite across districts, and economic pulses quicken. It’s a testament to engineering prowess meeting humanitarian need. As Sri Lanka heals, these interventions pave the way for sustained recovery, strengthening bilateral ties for the future.