Five From Kodagu Stranded in West Asia Amid Airspace Closures

(Map showing West Asia is for representational purposes only. Not to scale.)

Bengaluru: At least five people from Kodagu district are among the 109 persons from Karnataka stranded in West Asian countries following widespread airspace closures triggered by the ongoing conflict in parts of the Middle East.

According to official data released by the State government, four persons from Kodagu are stranded in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), while one person is stuck in Bahrain after several countries declared NOTAM (closure of airspace), severely disrupting 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, UAE and Qatar remains closed until March 2.

The disruption has left hundreds of passengers from across India unable to return home, including tourists and workers from Karnataka. The State government said that in view of the situation, 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 developments and extend assistance.

ALOS READ: Helpline Issued for Kodagu Residents Stranded Amid West Asia Conflict

Relief Commissioner and Principal Secretary to the Revenue Department (Disaster Management), Munish Moudgil, stated in a press note that the SEOC and DEOCs are regularly updating 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 Ministry of External Affairs.

Authorities said that requests for assistance received at the SEOC and DEOCs are being compiled and forwarded to the Resident Commissioner’s Office and the Ministry of External Affairs for necessary action.

The State government has urged people from Karnataka, including those from Kodagu residing in the affected countries, to strictly follow local government advisories, contact Indian Embassies and Consulates through helplines, and register on the Sarthi Sahayata portal. Officials said the situation remains fluid and further updates will be issued as required.

To advertise on The Kodagu Express website, kindly call us at 9108795369 or mail us at thekodaguexpress@gmail.com 

If you appreciate our work, please consider supporting us with a donation. You may reach us at 9108795369 or write to thekodaguexpress@gmail.com for details on how to contribute.

Join The Kodagu Express WhatsApp Group: CLICK HERE 

Follow us on Instagram and X(Twitter)