Passengers stranded as a result of the closure of Dubai International Airport wait for help at an airport car park in Dubai.
As tensions escalate in parts of West Asia, hundreds of people from Karnataka living in the region or traveling there are worried, even as authorities say the overall situation remains under control. While expatriates from Karnataka currently report that they are safe, uncertainty about further developments has left them on edge.
In Doha, Qatar, Kutappa BD, who has been employed there for the past decade, described a tense atmosphere marked by frequent explosions. Although some areas have witnessed strikes, he said residential areas are safe for now.
“We are safe now, although the situation around us is tense. There have been constant bombings, mainly targeting US military installations in Qatar. The explosions are strong enough to cause vibrations and loud noises, and we have barely been able to sleep because of it. Despite this, there is no direct threat to civilians in our area. We believe that the Qatari government will take all steps to ensure the safety of the residents in the coming days. soon,” he said.
Despite the relative calm
In the United Arab Emirates, especially in Dubai, foreigners have reported witnessing drones and missiles flying through the night sky. Priya S., originally from Mangaluru and currently working in Dubai, said the visuals were disturbing.
She noted that she never imagined such scenes taking place in a city known for its stability and vibrant lifestyle. UAE authorities advised residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, especially as debris from intercepted missiles posed risks in certain areas, she said.
“Our parents, relatives and friends back home are worried because of the constant news and messages on social media. But there is no need to panic. We are safe here. The government has cooperated and responded. Other than being careful and staying indoors, life is pretty much normal in residential areas,” she said.
However, the interruption of air traffic caused considerable inconvenience. As several flights were suspended or delayed, hundreds of tourists and emigrants from Karnataka were stranded in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
MLA safe
Among those currently in Dubai are Congress MLA Na.Ra. Bharath Reddy and SR Srinivas along with JD(S) MLC SL Bhojegowda. In a video message released on Monday, Mr. Reddy said about 35 people from Ballari who accompanied him were also safe. According to him, the Karnataka government is in constant touch and the list of those stranded has been shared with the Indian embassy.
“We have shared the complete list of all 35 persons with the state government and it has been handed over to the Indian Embassy here. As per the information available to us, airport operations are expected to resume once the situation stabilizes,” Mr Reddy said.
Community organization
Community organizations stepped in to provide assistance.
Parashuram, a resident of Downtown Dubai and a member of the Kannada Nudi Sangha, said volunteers support stranded individuals with information and coordination. While he acknowledged that the past two days had been worrying, he said there was “no immediate cause for alarm”. “I urge people not to venture out unnecessarily and I would like to tell families in Karnataka that expatriates remain safe in the UAE,” he said.
Published – March 2, 2026 7:47 PM IST
