Indian National Details Harrowing Experience in Dubai Amid Regional Conflict
An Indian citizen who returned to India in the initial batch of flights from Dubai after air travel resumed has provided a vivid account of tense nights, emergency alarms, and profound uncertainty as conflict in the Middle East severely disrupted travel across the Gulf region.
Missile Alerts and Midnight Scrambles to Safety
Saumya Khandelwal, who had traveled to Dubai for a work assignment, reported experiencing direct missile alerts and witnessing debris during the escalation of hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. "I have seen the missile, and we've seen this debris," Khandelwal stated. "And then we've also got alarms in the middle of the night where the government was sending us, the alarms were blaring for us to go to the shelter or to the basement of the hotel and be there."
She described a particularly alarming incident: "It was 12:13 in the night and we get a huge alarm on our phone and we had to rush to the basement." The constant sounds of sirens and missile warnings created an atmosphere of intense fear, leading her to believe she might be stranded for weeks. "I was very scared and I thought that I don't think so that I'll be able to move out of UAE for next two, three weeks at least."
Travel Plans Disrupted by Sudden Airspace Closures
Khandelwal had arrived in Dubai on a Wednesday for what was supposed to be a brief four-day work trip, with a scheduled return to India on Saturday. However, her plans were abruptly upended when airspace restrictions were imposed amid rapidly rising regional tensions. "The afternoon we got to know that the space is closed," she explained.
Authorities immediately instructed travelers to remain indoors as the situation developed. "We were asked by the authorities to be in the hotel and not roam around on the streets. We were in the hotel. Things were very frightening over there. We were very tense." Her family in India grew increasingly anxious as news of the conflict spread, with nobody having anticipated such developments during her short business visit.
Remarkable Cooperation from Local Authorities and Residents
Despite the frightening circumstances, Khandelwal emphasized the extraordinary support extended by both local authorities and Dubai residents to stranded travelers. "The government was fully cooperative and the people over there are very warm," she noted. "There was full cooperation from everybody around. They opened their homes for the people over there."
The Indian Embassy in the UAE maintained consistent communication with citizens throughout the crisis. "We've had calls, several calls that if you need any help, if we need anything, any sort of help, they were there to help," Khandelwal confirmed. "I received about two, three calls from Indian Embassy."
Daily Life Continued with Remarkable Normalcy
Even as tensions remained elevated, Khandelwal observed that everyday life in Dubai continued largely without panic. "Monday the city was functioning normally. People were on the roads, they were doing their daily chores. The groceries were open," she reported. "There was no panic at all, which was the best part. The cabs were running smoothly, the hotels were running smoothly."
She also highlighted that hotels and airlines notably avoided implementing surge pricing during the crisis. "You will be glad to know that there was no surge pricing. We were staying at the same price at what we were for the last four days," Khandelwal said. "Emirates did not increase even a single penny. I've come back at a very nominal pricing."
Community Support During Ramadan
Residents and businesses demonstrated exceptional generosity toward stranded travelers, particularly significant during the ongoing Ramadan period. "People were distributing food there because it's Ramadan over there. They didn't want to kill the festivity of the place," Khandelwal recounted.
She added: "Some of the companies opened their houses free of cost. Whoever wants to come, they can live and they can peacefully stay till the time flights resume." This community spirit provided crucial comfort to those unable to depart.
Anxious Evacuation and Emotional Homecoming
When flights finally resumed, Khandelwal managed to secure a seat on an Emirates flight and rushed to the airport. "The moment Emirates started, I just got another 15 minutes back and I had to reach airport by 6:30," she described. Passengers endured additional anxiety as their aircraft remained on the runway before takeoff. "Our flight was stuck on the runway for about 45 minutes and I was just waiting that please God, this flight has to go."
Once airborne, overwhelming relief swept through the cabin. "Everybody in the flight, they yelled, they were calling family when they landed. It was a very happy atmosphere. I was almost in tears that time," Khandelwal shared emotionally.
Clarifying Reports and Personal Reflections
Khandelwal also addressed circulating reports suggesting widespread attacks in central Dubai, offering firsthand clarification. "I was myself in the central of Dubai. I was in Business Bay, which is one of the most crowded areas," she stated. "There was no bombing around. The bombing was mostly at the airport side and also around the coast side."
Reflecting on the entire experience, she identified calm and faith as essential coping mechanisms. "My key takeaway will be that please have faith in God because that kept me going." She expressed strong confidence in continued governmental assistance for Indians in the Gulf, noting: "The government is very very cooperative. If you have any problem, you talk to people around and they're all very calm. I'm sure our government relationship with the UAE government is phenomenal and they're going to get back Indians whoever are stuck."
Despite the harrowing ordeal, Khandelwal affirmed her intention to return to the UAE once stability is restored. "The moment this is sorted, I'm going to go back to UAE for work," she concluded, highlighting resilience amid adversity.
