COLOMBO : A special Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying Bailey bridge components and specialist personnel landed in Sri Lanka this afternoon (04) to support ongoing disaster recovery efforts across the country.
The flight, which arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon, brought modular units of Bailey bridges that can be configured as a single long-span structure or multiple shorter bridges depending on operational needs. The equipment is intended to restore road connectivity in areas where bridges and access routes have been severely damaged by recent flooding and landslides.
According to officials, the relief consignment includes materials required for bridge construction, along with a 110-foot, two-way Bailey bridge setup that can be deployed immediately in affected regions. The delivery also includes five dinghy boats to support search, rescue and transport operations in flooded areas.
The aircraft carried a 20-member engineering team trained in rapid bridge deployment, as well as five medical staff to support local authorities on the ground. A total of 25 Indian personnel will work alongside Sri Lankan engineers and emergency responders to expedite the construction process.
Sri Lankan authorities have welcomed India’s support, citing the immediate need to restore connectivity to isolated communities and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of food, medical supplies and relief services.
This latest assistance forms part of India’s continued humanitarian support to Sri Lanka in response to the severe impacts of Cyclone Ditwah.
