Indian Embassy issues emergency advisory for nationals in Saudi Arabia

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has issued updated emergency guidance for Indian nationals. The advisory follows Houthi strikes and urges residents to shelter and trust official alerts.Stock photo used for illustrationDubai,Oct 18, 2026 12:06 ISTThe Indian Embassy in Riyadh has asked Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow updated emergency warning directives issued by the country’s authorities amid heightened security concerns following strikes by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, Press Trust of India reported.The guidelines ask people receiving alerts through the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies to remain calm, follow official directions and move immediately to the nearest safe place inside a building. They should preferably take shelter in an interior room away from windows until the danger has passed.People have been advised not to leave their homes or buildings until it is safe. They should stay away from open areas, windows and glass, and avoid standing on balconies or rooftops.Those outdoors should enter the nearest building or take shelter behind a solid barrier. The guidelines also advise people to avoid crowds and dangerous areas and not take photographs. People who receive an alert while driving should pull over to the side of the road, away from bridges and high-rise buildings.According to the directives shared by the embassy on social media, people can call emergency number 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province in case of a threat or danger. Those in the rest of Saudi Arabia can call 998. They have also been asked to follow instructions issued by the authorities through official channels. The directives were issued amid security concerns following drone and missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia, including a deadly strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10, PTI reported.The attack killed an Indian national and injured several others, prompting the Indian Embassy to repeat its safety advisory.The latest advisory follows an appeal issued by the embassy immediately after the October 10 strike. It had asked Indian nationals to follow instructions from local authorities, stay indoors during an aerial attack and refrain from filming, publishing or sharing information, photographs or videos related to the events. The embassy has again urged Indians in Saudi Arabia to remain alert, take shelter during emergencies and rely on official instructions.With PTI Inputs- Ends