The Karnataka government has fully activated SEOC and all DEOCs, which are operational 24/7, to monitor the situation and provide necessary assistance following the closure of airspace in several Middle Eastern countries, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Sunday.
The measure was taken on the instructions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in view of the prevailing situation which has disrupted international flight operations.
“Due to the prevailing situation in some countries in the Middle East, NOTAMs (closure of airspace) have been declared by several countries, resulting in significant disruption to international air traffic,” Gowda said in a press release.
He said that according to the latest advisory issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the airspace over Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Qatar remains closed until February 2.
Gowda said that a large number of passengers from various countries were stranded in the affected countries of the Middle East, especially in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) due to the disruption of air travel.
The State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) and District Emergency Operation Centers (DEOC) are regularly updating the advisories issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian Embassies/Consulates in the affected countries, the minister said, adding that the Karnataka Resident Commissioner has also activated the Karnataka Bhavan team in New Delhi for coordination.
Helpline and advisory numbers and alerts of embassies and consulates have been circulated to all DEOCs and widely disseminated through official social media platforms (X and WhatsApp etc) to create public awareness, he said.
The SEOC and the Office of the Karnataka Resident Commissioner in New Delhi are in close coordination with the Rapid Response Cell of the Ministry of External Affairs, the minister explained.
Requests for assistance received at SEOC and DEOC are compiled and forwarded to the Office of the Resident Commissioner Karnataka and the Department of External Affairs, he said.
He urged the people of Karnataka in the affected countries of the Middle East to strictly follow the instructions and recommendations issued by the local governments and to contact the respective Indian Embassies/Consulates through helpline numbers and register on the Sarthi Sahayata portal and other official portals of the concerned Embassies/Consulates.
Gowda said he and Siddaramaiah are constantly monitoring the situation and further updates will be issued as needed.
