Hyderabad: Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao remained stranded in Dubai after authorities suspended flight operations amid escalating hostilities between Iran, Israel and the United States in West Asia.
The Minister travelled to Dubai five days ago after a family member fell ill and required advanced medical treatment. He planned to return after the treatment. However, intensifying conflict in the region disrupted his travel plans.
Tummala Nageswara Rao stuck as Dubai airport suspends flights
The impact of the Iran–US–Israel hostilities extended to Dubai International Airport, where authorities halted flight movements for security reasons. Reports indicated missile or drone activity near Terminal 3 late Sunday night. Consequently, officials suspended arrivals and departures.
As a result, thousands of passengers, including the Minister, remained stranded. Emirates and Indian carriers such as Air India and IndiGo cancelled their services.
Sources indicated that Tummala Nageswara Rao and his family members are safe. However, he cannot return to India until authorities reopen the airspace and resume flight operations.
Meanwhile, Telangana government officials are in touch with Indian embassy authorities regarding the situation. The State government has yet to issue an official statement on the development.