MANGALURU: In response to the disruption of international flight operations following the closure of airspace in several Middle Eastern countries, the Karnataka government has launched dedicated helpline numbers to assist residents from the State stranded in the affected regions.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that the airspace over Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar will remain closed until March 2, leaving many passengers, including those from Karnataka, stranded, particularly in the UAE, especially Dubai.
To provide timely support and facilitate coordination with Indian embassies and consulates, the State Emergency Operations Centre has been activated.
The SEOC, along with District Emergency Operations Centres, is functioning round the clock to monitor the situation and assist stranded individuals.
The Karnataka government has issued helpline numbers for residents in the affected regions. Advisories have also been circulated through official social media platforms, including X and WhatsApp, to ensure public awareness.
The Karnataka Resident Commissioner’s Office in New Delhi is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian embassies in these countries to facilitate assistance.
Karnataka residents stranded in the Middle East have been urged to contact the helplines, follow local government advisories and register on the Sarthi Sahayata portal and other official platforms.
For visa related queries, individuals have been advised to contact the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office.
A release from Munish Moudgil, Relief Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, stated that the Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister are continuously monitoring the evolving situation and that further updates will be issued as necessary.
Indian embassies helpline numbers:
Israel: +972-54-7520711
Iran: +98 912 810 9115, +98 912 810 9109, +98 912 810 9102, +98 993 217 9359
Saudi Arabia: Riyadh: 00-966-11-4884697 | 00-966-542126748 (WhatsApp) | 800 247 1234 (Toll Free)
Jeddah: WhatsApp: +966 536209704
Landline: 00 966 126648660 / 00 966 12 2614093
Mobile: +966 556122301
Toll Free: 800 244 0003
UAE: Toll Free: 800-46342 | WhatsApp: +971 5430 90571
Qatar: 00974-55647502
Bahrain: 00973-39418071
Jordan: 00962-770 422 276
Oman: Toll Free: 8007 1234 | WhatsApp: +968 9828 2270
Iraq: +964 771 651 1185 (English and Hindi), +964 770 444 4899 (Arabic)
Kuwait: +965 65501946
Palestine: +970 592916418
Karnataka State Disaster Emergency Operations numbers:
Dakshina Kannada: 0824-2442590
Udupi: 0820-1077, 0820-222102