The Kerala government is closely following the developments in Yemen where conflict between the government and rebel forces has worsened in the past few days.
It is in close contact with the Union government and the Indian Mission in Yemen, Minister for Non-resident Keralite Affairs K.C. Joseph has said.
Mr. Joseph told The Hindu on Thursday that following the increasing number of enquiries from relatives of those working in Yemen, two control rooms had been opened, one in New Delhi and another in Thiruvananthapuram. Those calling from Kerala could call 18004253939 and those from outside 0914712333339.
Meanwhile, Jacob Korah, who hails from Kanjirappally in Kottayam district and works at a shipping company in Sanaa, said the situation seemed to be okay for the present.
“However, we can hear gunshots from afar, both machine guns and handheld guns,” he told The Hindu from Yemen.
He said there was no clear picture of the number of Indians, especially Malayalis, in Yemen, and the Indian Mission was trying to coordinate the situation.
Airport damaged
Of the three airports, the one at Sanaa had been damaged and runways had not been made operational.
The one at Hodeidah was open, but it was far. The one at Aden had been taken over by government forces, he said. Indian families in Sanaa were safe, he said.
“Life seems to be normal. Today, we had lunch outside and visited our friends,” he said. There was no shortage of food and water, he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Joseph said that early this month, the embassy had announced an open house in Yemen for Indians to register if they wanted easy passage to India. But no one came forward. Now, they wanted to return home.
The Minister said was no clear picture of the number of Indians in Yemen as yet.
“We are doing our best,” he said.
Indian mission trying to coordinate situation
Open house for Indians seeking early passage
