Andhra Pradesh government ramps up evacuations amid Israel-Iran conflict

As the Israel–Iran conflict continues to escalate, the Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up efforts to evacuate nearly 200 people from the State who are stranded in the affected region.

According to sources, officials coordinating the rescue mission have prepared a list of around 200 Telugus who are ready to return home. Of them, 58 are stranded in Bahrain. The Indian Embassy is also holding a broader consolidated list that includes people from other States awaiting evacuation.

Given the urgency of the situation, State officials have urged the Ministry of External Affairs to consider initiating airlift operations at the earliest. They have also sought coordination with the Saudi Consulate to arrange transit visas, since airports in Bahrain are presently considered unsafe for regular flight operations.

With Gulf Air operating special evacuation flights from Dammam to Larnaca, Cairo and New Delhi, A.P. officials have requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation to allocate seats for the stranded Telugus. While the authorities have acknowledged that the request is under consideration, a final confirmation is still awaited.

Officials from the State have also appealed for the operation of a special flight from Dammam to New Delhi at the earliest to ensure the safe evacuation of families stranded in Bahrain.