Ghaziabad: At least 15 people from Ghaziabad are feared to be currently stranded in Iran, Bahrain and Dubai, as authorities across Uttar Pradesh moved to assess the impact of the escalating conflict in West Asia. The Ghaziabad district administration on Sunday issued helpline numbers on X, urging families to report if any relatives or acquaintances were overseas in affected countries.
The appeal is part of a wider exercise launched by district administrations across the state, including Gautam Budh Nagar, to identify residents who may be stranded in West Asia amid heightened security concerns linked to tensions involving Israel and neighbouring regions.
"We have set up a control room to receive information about stranded residents," said Saurabh Bhatt, additional district magistrate (finance and revenue), Ghaziabad. "So far, details of 15 people from Ghaziabad who are presently in Iran, Bahrain and Dubai have been received. These details are being compiled and verified so that assistance can be coordinated, if required."
Residents have been asked to share information with the ADM (finance and revenue), Ghaziabad, on 8528180592 or the district disaster specialist on 8127652559.
In Gautam Budh Nagar, the district administration has issued a separate advisory seeking details of residents who live, work, are travelling, or are stranded in Iraq or Iran, as well as those who have recently returned from these countries. Officials said the move was precautionary and aimed at ensuring timely communication.
"At present, we have not received any information about residents being stranded," said Atul Kumar, ADM (finance and revenue), Gautam Budh Nagar. "The helplines have been issued as a precautionary measure."
Residents can contact the district emergency control room at 0120-2978231 or 0120-2978232, the ADM (finance and revenue) at 9870944876, or the district disaster specialist at 8145563077.
Officials said verified information from districts is being forwarded to the state govt for coordination. The state has directed all districts to share consolidated data with the commissioner of relief department to streamline any emergency response if evacuations or other interventions become necessary.
Meanwhile, the conflict has sparked anxiety among families across UP, with hundreds of workers and students reported to be in affected countries. Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia and Qatar reported drone and missile alerts, restrictions on movement and temporary workplace shutdowns.
Around 100 students and religious scholars from Ambedkar Nagar are said to be stranded in Tehran and Mashhad, with families reporting intermittent communication due to network disruptions. Construction workers in Israel described repeated emergency alerts followed by sirens, prompting evacuation to designated safe zones.
Others from Gorakhpur, travelling home for Holi, remain stranded as flights from Doha, Sharjah and Riyadh have been suspended. Officials that advised families to rely only on verified information, adding that Indian embassies in affected countries have urged nationals to stay indoors and follow local safety advisories.
—With inputs from Lucknow
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Ashni Dhaor is a Special Correspondent with the Times of India, w...
Read MoreAshni Dhaor is a Special Correspondent with the Times of India, with over a decade of experience across print, electronic, and digital media. She specialises in long-form features, grassroots civic-policy investigations, and human-interest stories, covering urban development, local governance, nightlife, and evolving lifestyle trends in Noida and Ghaziabad.
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