Cyclone Ditwah left Sri Lanka scarred, but India’s Operation Sea Brothers is stitching the nation back together—one bridge at a time. The latest triumph: a sturdy 120-foot Bailey bridge on B-492 highway at KM 15, reconnecting Kandy and Nuwara Eliya after a month-long severance.
The Indian Army’s Task Force B-492, deployed under the operation, has now delivered three such engineering marvels. Prior bridges in Jaffna and Kandy set the stage; this one completes a crucial triad, restoring flow to a disaster zone ravaged by floods and slides.
The cyclone’s trail of destruction was merciless. Highways crumbled, bridges toppled into swollen rivers, and remote areas became islands of despair. Residents endured shortages, with children missing school and farmers losing harvests to isolation.
India’s response was immediate and multifaceted. From airlifts of essentials to on-ground repairs, the tri-services effort has been relentless. Operation Sea Brothers embodies ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family—proving it through action.
Opening this route changes everything. Commerce revives, healthcare access improves, and hope returns. Local leaders praise the Indian team’s speed and skill. With infrastructure rebounding, Sri Lanka edges toward full restoration, bolstered by a neighbor’s unwavering support.