The Karnataka government has begun coordinating with Indian diplomatic missions to assist about 600 Umrah pilgrims from the state who are stranded in Saudi Arabia amid disruptions to international flights, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said on October 23.
Parameshwara said the government was in continuous contact with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Indian Consulate in Jeddah to ensure that the stranded Kannadigas receive necessary assistance. The state is coordinating with the relevant authorities to bring the pilgrims safely back to Karnataka once flight operations resume and travel arrangements become available, he said in a post on X.
The Minority Welfare, Haj and Wakf Department and the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) are also in contact with the Ministry of External Affairs. 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 Kannadigas in Saudi Arabia not to panic and to follow safety instructions issued by the local administration and the Indian diplomatic missions. The advisory says residents should remain indoors or inside a secure building in the event of an aerial attack. It also warns them against photographing or recording security-related incidents and sharing such material on social media, as this could potentially violate local laws.
The government has separately advised people from Karnataka planning to travel to Saudi Arabia, particularly for Umrah, to monitor the situation and follow instructions from the Indian Embassy. Travellers have been asked to confirm flight schedules with airlines and tour operators before making travel arrangements. They have also been advised to prepare for cancellations, delays or the need to remain in Saudi Arabia for additional days.
The assistance numbers released by the state include the Karnataka Haj Department helplines at 9483503132 and 7899707775. The SEOC can be contacted at 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 at +966 122614093 and +966 556122301, with +966 536209704 available for WhatsApp messages. A toll-free number for callers within Saudi Arabia is 8002471234.
Parameshwara said the safety of every Kannadiga remained a priority for the state government. He added that Karnataka authorities would continue coordinating with the Indian Embassy, the Ministry of External Affairs and other concerned officials to provide assistance. The return arrangements for the pilgrims will depend on the resumption of flight operations and the availability of travel facilities.
