Pakistan allowed to use Indian airspace for relief flights to Sri Lanka

ISLAMABAD (MNN); Pakistan has received formal clearance from India to fly humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka via Indian airspace, diplomatic sources revealed Monday. The Foreign Office confirmed that written approval was shared by the Indian High Commission earlier in the evening, paving the way for relief flights to begin tomorrow.

Sri Lanka is facing a severe humanitarian emergency after Cyclone Ditwah triggered widespread floods and landslides. According to Sri Lankan authorities, at least 355 people have died, while more than 360 others are still missing. The government has requested international assistance and deployed military helicopters to reach stranded communities.

Across the region, deadly monsoon-linked flooding has devastated multiple countries, with combined casualties in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and neighbouring areas surpassing 1,100. Sumatra in Indonesia, southern Thailand and northern Malaysia also experienced continuous heavy rainfall over the past week.

Experts warn that while the region is in its regular monsoon cycle, climate change has intensified rainfall patterns, increasing the scale of storms and disaster impact. Entire villages have been cut off, and many survivors remain marooned on rooftops awaiting rescue by boat or helicopter.

India and Pakistan have maintained airspace closures against each other since heightened tensions in April after an attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left 26 dead and was followed by a four-day standoff. Islamabad later extended the restriction until November 24, but humanitarian flights have now been granted exception for Sri Lanka relief operations.