Maharashtra sets up WhatsApp helpline for citizens stranded in West Asia

CMO stated that state government, in coordination with the Indian People's Forum in Dubai, has issued a WhatsApp helpline number +971 50 365 4357 for stranded citizens who require assistance

The Maharashtra government has launched an emergency WhatsApp helpline for hundreds of state residents stranded in the Middle East amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, officials said on Tuesday.

According to officials, several hundred people from Maharashtra are stranded in the Middle East due to airspace closure caused by the Iran war, though all are safe.

The Chief Minister's office, in a post on X, said that CM Devendra Fadnavis is personally monitoring the situation and is in constant contact with various agencies.

He is also coordinating regularly with the Central government, which is extending all possible assistance, while Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan has been tasked with coordination efforts.

The CMO further stated that the state government, in coordination with the Indian People's Forum in Dubai, has issued a WhatsApp helpline number +971 50 365 4357 for stranded citizens who require assistance.

US President Donald Trump has said that the heavy and pinpoint bombing of Iran would continue through the week or as long as necessary.

In the wake of the situation, many airspaces in West Asia have been closed, causing massive flight disruptions and leaving passengers stranded.

Figures of stranded citizens are being collected from more places across Maharashtra, officials have said.

Among those stranded in Dubai is the Congress's Jalna Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Kale, who had gone there on Friday, just a day before the joint US-Israel strike in Iran, his brother Jagannath Kale said.

The Odisha government constituted a dedicated working group to monitor the safety of people from the state stranded in conflict-affected West Asia, officials said on Tuesday.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Monday, they said.

The chief secretary instructed all departments concerned to keep a close watch on the evolving situation and remain fully prepared to respond as required.

"In this context, the Odisha government has constituted a working group in coordination with the Directorate of Odisha Parivar, the Home Department, the State Labour Directorate, and the Office of the Protector of Emigrants under the Ministry of External Affairs," a statement said, adding that developments are being closely monitored.

Pritish Panda, Officer on Special Duty at the Directorate of Odisha Paribar, has been designated as the single point of contact to coordinate with the Odia diaspora.

DGP YB Khurania, who was present at the meeting, said the situation is being monitored very closely.

He also said social media posts are being strictly monitored, and immediate action is being taken wherever necessary.

Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei was killed in a major attack by Israel and the United States on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump said the heavy and pinpoint bombing of Iran would continue through the week or as long as necessary.

In the wake of the situation, many airspaces in West Asia have been closed, causing massive flight disruptions, leaving people stranded in different cities.