Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry has issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which has triggered severe floods and landslides across Sri Lanka.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives … We extend our condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and to the people of Sri Lanka,” the Ministry said.

At the same time, much of Southeast Asia remains engulfed in a growing climate-linked catastrophe — with Southern Thailand now reeling under catastrophic floods. Authorities say the death toll across the southern region has risen to 162, up from earlier counts of 145.

The hardest-hit province, Songkhla, accounts for 126 of those fatalities.

Millions of people have been affected: over 1.4 million households in the region, with some estimates putting the number of impacted people at several million.

In inundated cities like Hat Yai, floodwaters reportedly reached unprecedented heights — with some areas submerged under metres of water.

Entire communities remain stranded, communication and utility services are disrupted, and emergency response teams continue to evacuate residents and distribute aid.

Against this grim regional backdrop, Türkiye’s expression of solidarity with Sri Lanka stands as a gesture of compassion — even as the skies above Southeast Asia continue to pour. (ILKHA)