Türkiye expresses condolences to Sri Lanka over cyclone victims

Türkiye has conveyed its profound sorrow regarding the catastrophic loss of life resulting from Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. In an official statement released on Saturday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed deep condolences to the families of victims and the Sri Lankan nation as the island country confronts one of its most severe natural disasters in recent history.

Scale of the Disaster

The cyclone, which made landfall on November 26, has caused extensive devastation across Sri Lanka, resulting in at least 123 fatalities with 130 individuals still unaccounted for. The storm has affected approximately 373,428 people from 102,877 families, forcing the relocation of nearly 44,000 residents to 488 emergency shelters established throughout the affected regions.

Emergency Response Measures

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has mobilized more than 20,000 military personnel to conduct search and rescue operations in the hardest-hit areas. Authorities have issued high-risk flood alerts for several major river systems, advising downstream communities to evacuate immediately. Red-alert landslide warnings remain active for eight high-risk districts where steep slopes and hillside communities face ongoing danger.

Regional Weather Impact

The severe weather system, which began impacting Sri Lanka on November 17, continues to threaten the broader South Asian region. Meteorological forecasts indicate Cyclone Ditwah is expected to move toward India's southern coast in Tamil Nadu state by early Sunday, potentially disrupting flight operations and educational activities in vulnerable coastal areas.