At least 109 people from Karnataka are stranded in West Asian countries following a widespread airspace closure amid the ongoing conflict.
According to official figures released by the state government, 100 people were stranded in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) and nine in Bahrain after several countries issued NOTAMs (airspace closures), severely disrupting international flight operations.
District data shows that Ballari accounts for the highest number of stranded passengers in the UAE (32), followed by Bengaluru (25) and Davanagere (9). Kodagu and Vijayapura have four stranded persons each, while Chikkamagaluru has five. Each of the three persons were stranded in Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga and Raichur. Two each are from Chikkaballapura, Chitradurga, Kalaburagi and Udupi while one person is from Tumakuru. The districts of the three individuals are yet to be confirmed.
In Bahrain, there are four people from Hassan, three from Udupi, one from Kodagu and one from an unspecified district.
Fully activated
In a press release, Relief Commissioner and Principal Secretary (Disaster Management), Ministry of Revenue, Munish Moudgil said that on the instructions of the Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister, the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) and all District Emergency Operation Centers (DEOCs) have been fully activated and are functioning 24 hours a day to monitor the situation and provide necessary assistance.
The SEOC and DEOC regularly update the advisories issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassies and Consulates in the affected countries. The Karnataka Resident Commissioner has also activated the Karnataka Bhavan team in New Delhi to coordinate with the authorities. “As on March 2, 10 am, details of 109 stranded people from Karnataka received at SEOC and DEOC have been forwarded to MEA and Karnataka Bhavan,” Mr. Moudgil said.
Helpline and advice numbers of embassies and consulates have been widely disseminated through official social media platforms. The authorities said that requests for assistance received at SEOC and DEOC are collated and forwarded to the office of the Resident Commissioner and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Situational fluid
Mr. Moudgil urged the people of Karnataka living in the affected countries to strictly follow the local recommendations, contact the Indian missions and register on the Sarthi Sahayata portal. “The situation remains fluid,” he said, adding that further updates would be issued as needed.
“The Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for coordination of persons from Karnataka arriving at various airports in India will be issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after the evacuation begins,” Mr. Moudgil said.
Published – 02 March 2026 19:05 IST
