The Karnataka government has begun coordinating assistance for around 600 Umrah pilgrims from the state who are stranded in Saudi Arabia following disruptions to international flight operations, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said on October 23.
Parameshwara said the state was in continuous contact with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Indian Consulate in Jeddah to support Kannada-speaking pilgrims facing difficulties in Saudi Arabia. The government is coordinating with the relevant authorities to bring them safely back to Karnataka once flight operations resume and travel arrangements become available.
The Minority Welfare, Haj and Waqf Department and the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) are also in contact with the Ministry of External Affairs, according to the Deputy Chief Minister. Special helplines have been activated through the Haj department and the SEOC for pilgrims in distress and their families in Karnataka.
The state government has advised Kannada-speaking residents in Saudi Arabia to remain calm, stay alert and follow safety instructions issued by the local administration and Indian diplomatic missions. Those in the country have been asked to remain indoors or inside secure buildings in the event of an air strike.
The advisory also warns people not to photograph or record security-related incidents or circulate such material on social media, as doing so could potentially violate local laws. The government has asked residents to follow instructions from the authorities rather than rely on unverified information.
People from Karnataka planning to travel to Saudi Arabia, particularly for Umrah, have also been advised to monitor the situation and follow updates from the Indian Embassy. They should confirm flight schedules with airlines and travel operators before finalising travel arrangements, the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Travellers have been asked to prepare for cancellations, delays or the possibility of having to remain in Saudi Arabia for additional days. The advisory places responsibility for immediate travel updates with airlines and tour operators while the state government continues coordination with diplomatic and central authorities.
The Karnataka Haj Department can be contacted on 9483503132 and 7899707775. The SEOC helplines are 1070 and 080-22253707. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has listed the telephone numbers +966 554412016 and +966 542126784, along with the WhatsApp number +966 536216082 for messages.
The Indian Consulate in Jeddah can be reached on +966 122614093 and +966 556122301, with +966 536209704 available for WhatsApp messages. A Saudi Arabia toll-free number, 8002471234, has also been provided for assistance.
Parameshwara said the safety of every Kannadiga affected by the situation remained a priority for the state government. He added that Karnataka would continue coordinating with the Indian Embassy, the Ministry of External Affairs and other relevant authorities until travel arrangements are available.
