Following the attack and counter-attack by Israel and the United States on Iran, there has been great concern over the tense situation that has developed across the Gulf region. In this situation, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting immediate intervention for the expatriate Malayalis.

 

 

The government is taking the concerns of expatriate Keralites and their family members back home very seriously during this time of crisis. The letter has requested that the central government make immediate preparations to ensure the safety of the expatriates and to bring them safely home if the situation requires it.

 

 

The state government is ready to provide all possible support and assistance to the central government in this regard. The Prime Minister has also been informed that Kerala is ready to set up systems, including helplines, for the relatives of the expatriates to communicate with them. The Chief Minister has stated in the letter that the Kerala government will take all possible interventions in collaboration with the central government to ensure the safety of the expatriate brothers and sisters.

 

 

Norka Helpdesk

 

The dedicated 24-hour NORKA helpdesk numbers set up for NRI(K) Keralites and their family members as per the instructions of the Chief Minister’s Office received a total of 541 calls till 6 pm on Sunday, March 01, 2026. 188 were from abroad and 353 from within the country . The name was also contacted at the helpdesk.

India — 353
UAE — 78
Qatar — 49
Bahrain — 39
Kuwait — 12
Oman — 5
Saudi Arabia — 3
UK — 2

Total — 541

The situation and the information received were assessed at a review meeting held at the Thycaud Norka Center, led by NORKA Department Secretary T.V. Anupama and NORKA Roots Chief Executive Officer Ajith Kolassery.

 

 

Eight Indian nationals, including three Malayalis (Krishna Das Nagalur, a native of Palakkad Kodumbu, his wife Dr. Rashmi Menon (a native of Ernakulam, Kalady), and daughter Smriti Menon (age 3)) who were travelling on an Air Arabia flight from Baku , the capital of Azerbaijan, to Kuwait, were stranded at the Karachi airport in Pakistan. The flight was diverted due to the tense situation and had to make an emergency landing at the Karachi International Airport. The Malayalis passengers contacted Norka Roots through a Loka Kerala Sabha member from Kuwait, and the Union Ministry of External Affairs has contacted them and coordinated the steps to bring them to India. The Ministry of External Affairs is examining the possibility of bringing them to India via Colombo.

 

 

Expatriates from Bahrain contacted Norka Roots requesting urgent medical supplies. They were provided with the necessary assistance with the support of Loka Kerala Sabha members. Assistance was also provided to those who had lost their documents, including passports, to obtain duplicates. Government shelters have been set up in Bahrain. Steps have been taken to provide information about this to expatriates. A special help group (desk) consisting of Norka representatives and Loka Kerala Sabha members has been formed in Bahrain and is coordinating activities. Emergency assistance was also provided to expatriates who were stranded in the UAE because they could not travel to other countries through Malayali organizations and Loka Kerala Sabha members.

 

 

Coordination is ongoing with the Central Government, Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions in respective countries, Loka Kerala Sabha members, and expatriate organizations. Expatriates in countries where conflict is ongoing should follow information from official sources. For emergency assistance, contact the NORKA Roots Helpdesk You can contact us at +91-8802012345 (international missed call) and 18004253939 ( toll-free number, from India) .

 

 

 

Control room at Kerala House, Delhi

 

As per the instructions of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a 24-hour control room has been opened at Kerala House, New Delhi. Those in need can contact the helpline numbers 011-23747079, 011-23742320, +91-9310443880. Under the leadership of Resident Commissioner Puneeth Kumar and Additional Resident Commissioner Dr. Aswathy Srinivas, Controller A.S. Harikumar, Liaison Officer Rahul K. Jaiswar, and NORKA Development Officer J. Shajimon have been assigned to coordinate the control room activities.