Maharashtra CMO alerts Indians in Saudi Arabia to stay safe
Synopsis
The Chief Minister's Office of Maharashtra has issued an urgent advisory urging Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to stay indoors, avoid unverified content, and contact the 24x7 PBSK helpline on 8002471234 as the Embassy and Consulate continue functioning normally.
Key Takeaways
Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia are advised to stay indoors and remain alert amid an unspecified security situation.
Circulating or reposting unverified videos, photos, or news related to ongoing events has been explicitly discouraged.
The Embassy of India in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah , including VFS-outsourced services, are functioning normally.
The PBSK 24x7 toll-free helpline — 8002471234 — remains active for distressed Indian nationals.
Official updates will be issued via @IndianEmbRiyadh on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
With an unspecified security situation unfolding inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Chief Minister's Office of Maharashtra issued an urgent advisory on Friday, October 9, 2026, calling on Indian nationals in the country to stay indoors, remain alert, and follow only verified guidance from local authorities.
What the advisory says — and what it warns against
The advisory is unambiguous: Indian nationals must 'remain alert and vigilant, stay indoors and follow instructions issued by local authorities through official channels.' Equally firm is the caution against spreading unverified content — the government has explicitly asked people to 'refrain from circulating or reposting videos, photographs, or unverified news related to the ongoing events.' In fast-moving crises, misinformation can escalate panic and compromise safety; the instruction reflects hard-learned lessons from past emergencies involving Indian diaspora communities abroad.
Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah operating normally
Critically, the Embassy of India in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah, including its outsourced services through VFS, are confirmed to be functioning normally. That assurance matters: consular access — for emergency travel documents, distress calls, or repatriation support — remains uninterrupted. Indians needing help are directed to official social media handles: @IndianEmbRiyadh on X, IndiainSaudiArabia on Facebook, indianembriyadh on Instagram, and the Embassy of India in Riyadh page on LinkedIn.
PBSK helpline open around the clock
For immediate assistance, the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK) — India's dedicated overseas-worker support centre — has its 24x7 toll-free helpline active on 8002471234. The PBSK was established precisely for moments like this: a single, accessible number that Indian workers and residents abroad can call regardless of the hour. With a large population of Indian workers concentrated in Saudi Arabia's construction, healthcare, and domestic-service sectors, the availability of that line is not a formality — it is a lifeline.
Situation on the ground in Saudi Arabia remains fluid; every Indian national there has one clear instruction — stay put, tune in only to official channels, and keep that helpline number saved.
Point of View
Not just a central-government domain. The explicit ban on circulating unverified content reflects a post-COVID institutional reflex to prevent information disorder from compounding physical danger. With an estimated 2.5–3 million Indians resident in Saudi Arabia, many from Maharashtra, the state government's involvement carries real constituency weight. How quickly the situation stabilises on the ground will determine whether this advisory escalates into a full repatriation operation — the kind India has mounted before under Vande Bharat-style missions.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What should Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia do right now?
They should stay indoors, remain alert, and follow instructions from local Saudi authorities through official channels only. Avoid sharing unverified videos or news.
Is the Indian Embassy in Riyadh open during the Saudi Arabia crisis?
Yes. The Embassy of India in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah, including VFS outsourced services, are confirmed to be functioning normally as of October 9, 2026.
What is the PBSK helpline number for Indians in Saudi Arabia?
The Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK) operates a 24x7 toll-free helpline on 8002471234 for Indian nationals in distress abroad.
Where can Indians in Saudi Arabia get verified updates?
Follow the official handles of the Embassy of India in Riyadh: @IndianEmbRiyadh on X, IndiainSaudiArabia on Facebook, indianembriyadh on Instagram, and the Embassy page on LinkedIn.
Why is the government asking people not to share videos from Saudi Arabia?
Unverified content during active security situations can spread panic, compromise ongoing operations, and endanger lives. The advisory urges Indians to rely solely on official channels for information.
