Published Mar 01, 2026 | 8:21 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 01, 2026 | 8:21 PM
Explosions near Dubai airport following airstrike by Iran.
Synopsis: The Karnataka government said it is in continuous touch with the Ministry of External Affairs to track around 200 residents from the state who are stranded in Middle Eastern countries after airspace closures linked to the Israel-Iran conflict. Officials said all those who have contacted the state are reported safe, and a continuously updated list has been prepared to monitor their status and coordinate with Indian missions.
The Karnataka government on Sunday, 1 March, said it is in continuous touch with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) regarding Indian citizens from the state who are stranded in Middle Eastern countries following airspace closures amid escalating conflict after the Israel-United States bombing of Iran.
Due to the disruption in air travel, a large number of passengers from various countries, including Karnataka, have been stranded in affected Middle Eastern countries, particularly in the UAE (Dubai).
Relief Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, Munish Moudgil IAS, said a list has been prepared to track residents from Karnataka and seek their status from the MEA.
“It’s a continuously updating list. About 200 are there as reported who reached out to us. We are in touch with Ministry of External Affairs and all are reportedly safe though info is being updated continuously,” he said in a statement to the press on Sunday.
“At any time when any evacuation flight is possible the same will be undertaken.”
The state government said that, in view of the prevailing situation in certain Middle Eastern countries, several nations have declared NOTAM, leading to the closure of airspace and significant disruption to international flight operations.
As per the latest advisory issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, airspace over Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar remains closed up to 2 March.
Following directions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and all District Emergency Operations Centres (DEOCs) have been fully activated and are functioning round the clock to monitor the situation and extend assistance.
The SEOC and DEOCs are regularly updating advisories issued by the MEA and Indian embassies and consulates in the affected countries. The Karnataka Resident Commissioner has also activated the Karnataka Bhavan team in New Delhi for coordination.
Embassy- and consulate-wise helpline numbers and advisories have been disseminated to all DEOCs and circulated through official social media platforms, including X and WhatsApp, for public awareness.
The SEOC and the Office of the Karnataka Resident Commissioner in New Delhi are in close coordination with the Rapid Response Cell of the MEA. Requests for assistance received at the SEOC and DEOCs are being compiled and forwarded to the Resident Commissioner’s Office and the MEA.
People from Karnataka residing in the affected Middle Eastern countries have been urged to strictly follow the guidelines and advisories issued by local governments. They have been advised to contact the respective Indian embassies and consulates through helpline numbers and register on the Sarthi Sahayata portal and other official portals of the concerned missions. For visa-related matters, they have been asked to contact the nearest FRRO.
The Karnataka State Emergency Operations Centre can be contacted at 080-22340676 and 080-22253707 (short code 1070).
District Emergency Operations Centre numbers are as follows:
Bengaluru Rural: 080-28388005
Davanagere: 08192-234034
Kodagu: 08272-221077
Kolar: 08152-243506
Ramanagara: 080-27275913
Yadagiri: 08473-253950
Chikkamagaluru: 08262-238950
Hassan: 08172-261111
Kalaburagi: 08472-278677
Bagalkot: 08354-236240
Ballari: 08392-277100
Belagavi: 0831-2407290
Bengaluru Urban: 080-22967200
Bidar: 08482-225409 / 224316
Chamarajanagara: 08226-223160, 08226-223161, 08226-223163
Chikkaballapura: 08156-277071
Chitradurga: 08194-222538
Dakshina Kannada: 0824-2442590
Dharwad: 0836-2445508
Gadag: 08372-239177
Haveri: 08375-249102
Koppal: 08539-221077
Mandya: 08232-224655
Mysuru: 0821-2423800
Raichur: 08532-226383
Tumakuru: 08162-213400
Shivamogga: 08182-221010, 08182-1077
Udupi: 0820-1077, 0820-2574802
Uttara Kannada: 08382-229857
Vijayapura: 08352-221261, 222101, 222102
Vijayanagara: 08394-200328.
