THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 24-hour special helpdesk set up by Norka Roots on the instructions of the chief minister’s office has received 381 calls as of 11.30am on Sunday, in the wake of the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.
The helpline was started to assist Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) and their family members amid growing tensions in West Asia. The primary objective is to provide verified information received from the Union and state governments to expatriates and coordinate necessary assistance in case of emergencies.
Of the total calls received so far, 137 were from abroad and 244 from within India. All calls have been officially registered and documented for further follow-up action.
Most enquiries were related to the status of flight services, cancellations, travel advisories and safety instructions. Several callers also sought information regarding possible evacuation from Gulf countries and measures to ensure travel safety.
Expatriates in countries affected by the conflict have been advised to rely only on information from official sources. For emergency assistance, they may contact the Norka Roots helpdesk at +91-8802012345 (international missed call) or 1800-425-3939 (toll-free within India).