Last Updated:March 06, 2026, 18:12 IST

With several flights cancelled and airspace restrictions imposed across parts of the Middle East, relatives say every phone call from abroad now carries both relief and fear.

More than one lakh people from Lucknow and other districts — including masons, construction workers, technicians, drivers and those on religious tours — are currently stranded across Gulf countries as the Iran–Israel war entered its seventh day on Friday, intensifying anxiety among families in Uttar Pradesh.

With several flights cancelled and airspace restrictions imposed across parts of the Middle East, relatives say every phone call from abroad now carries both relief and fear.

Travel operators in the city estimate that over 1.25 lakh residents of Lucknow are currently in countries such as Iran, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Muscat, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah. Many of them had planned to return to India in the coming days, but the escalating conflict has disrupted travel schedules, leaving thousands stranded.

Families in Lucknow say the situation has become increasingly distressing as the conflict intensifies. Several residents said that during phone calls with their relatives, they can sometimes hear sirens and distant explosions, which has further heightened concerns.

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The disruption of air travel has worsened the situation. According to travel industry sources, around 115 flights operate every week between Lucknow and various Gulf destinations, connecting migrant workers, pilgrims and business travellers. With airlines cancelling or suspending several services due to the conflict and restricted airspace, passengers scheduled to return home are now stuck abroad.

Among those affected are the family members of prominent Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad, whose relatives are currently in Iran. The cleric said his sister, nephew and younger son are living there.

His son, Kalbe Ahmed, has been studying in the religious city of Qom for nearly six years. According to the cleric, missile strikes have taken place in areas close to where his son resides, though the family remains safe so far. “By the grace of God they are safe, but the situation there is tense and uncertain," he said.

Another Lucknow family closely monitoring the developments is that of Ravish Zaidi, who works as a reporter with Iranian state television in Tehran. His father Amir Abbas Zaidi said the situation has been extremely worrying, particularly because Ravish recently underwent open-heart surgery.

“He had a heart attack about 15 days ago and underwent surgery. He was discharged from hospital only three days ago when the war started," Zaidi said. According to him, Ravish shared photographs showing nearly 30 bombs were dropped in the area and one explosion occurred about 100 metres from where he lives.

Zaidi recalled that his son had narrowly escaped an Israeli strike last year while reporting from the scene. “He had moved away barely 15 seconds before the building was hit," he said.

The family also carries another painful memory. On June 12, 2025, when Israel launched a previous strike on Iran, Ravish’s mother passed away in Lucknow the same day. Because of the conflict and travel restrictions, he could not return home to attend her funeral.

Barabanki Workers In Israel Share Experience

The fear of the war is also being felt in Barabanki district, where several young men from villages under Dewa police station area are currently working in Israel as construction labourers.

Residents of Jagdishpur village said more than two dozen workers from the area are employed in Israel, mainly doing masonry and shuttering work. Among them are Ankur Singh and Rajpal Singh, who have been working near Tel Aviv.

Rajpal Singh had returned to Israel only four months ago for work. His family members in the village said they remain in regular contact through phone and video calls.

According to the workers, construction work has been temporarily stopped due to the escalating conflict and they have been advised to stay in safer areas. While the sounds of missile strikes and air defence systems are frequent, they say they have not faced any direct attack near their current location so far.

Speaking to his family through a video call, Ankur Singh described the tense situation in Israel.

“Missiles and bombs fired towards Israel are often intercepted in the air by the defence systems. We can actually see them being destroyed in the sky," he said, adding that people frequently rush to shelters when sirens sound.

Back in Jagdishpur village, families say they spend most of their time praying for the safety of their sons. “We keep watching the news and waiting for their calls," said one relative.

The anxiety in Barabanki has been further heightened because the nearby Kintoor village shares a historical connection with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and news about the conflict has already created tension in the region.

Govt Monitoring Situation

Officials said the Uttar Pradesh government is closely monitoring the situation. District administrations have been asked to collect details of residents currently in the Middle East so that assistance can be provided if required.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also activated emergency helplines through Indian embassies across the region. Authorities are coordinating with airlines and diplomatic missions to assist Indians stranded in the conflict zone once flight operations resume.

For thousands of families across Lucknow, Barabanki and other districts of the state, however, the uncertainty continues. Until flights restart and the war subsides, relatives say they can do little except wait anxiously, keep calling their loved ones abroad and pray for their safe return home.

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