Months after Cyclone Ditwah devastated Sri Lanka, Operation Sagarbahu by India presses on, mending not just roads but the fabric of hope for countless families. The Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force exemplifies precision and dedication in reviving shattered lifelines.
Bridge B-492, the artery between Kandy and Badulla provinces, bore the brunt of nature’s assault. Through relentless labor, Indian teams have erected Bailey bridges at strategic 15km and 21km stretches, slashing commute times and reknitting social and economic threads torn by floods and slides.
A viral X video showcases raw appreciation: a schoolgirl declares, ‘Your service touches our hearts, especially from so far away in India. No bridge meant no passage— you’ve given us back our way. Endless thanks!’ The Army’s caption emphasized community reconnection and bilateral warmth.
Sparked in late November 2024 as Ditwah hit, the operation repurposed Indian warships INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri from anniversary festivities into HADR powerhouses, aiding a nation whose response mechanisms were overwhelmed. Relief poured in swiftly, addressing acute shortages.
Complementing infrastructure work, the field hospital at Mahiyanganaya delivered round-the-clock care—surgeries, trauma stabilization, routine treatments—for 1,000+ patients daily. India’s holistic approach in Operation Sagarbahu not only rebuilds but reinforces trust across borders, a testament to shared destinies in South Asia’s volatile climate.