'Refrain from taking photos, take shelter': India advisory amid Houthi strikes in Saudi Arabia

NEW DELHI: India on Sunday issued an advisory for its citizens in Saudi Arabia, urging them to follow revised emergency safety guidelines issued by local authorities amid heightened security concerns following drone and missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels.The Indian mission in Riyadh advised citizens to remain inside their homes or residential buildings until the threat subsides, keep away from open spaces, windows and glass structures, and avoid standing on balconies or rooftops.The guidelines urge people to remain calm and move quickly to the nearest safe location inside a building, preferably an internal room away from windows and glass fixtures, until the danger has passed.Those outdoors have been advised to enter the nearest building or take shelter behind a sturdy obstacle. They have also been asked to avoid large gatherings and hazardous areas and refrain from taking photographs.Motorists who receive an alert while driving have been advised to pull over safely, keeping away from overpasses and elevated structures.In case of an imminent threat or emergency, Indian citizens can dial 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 998 in other parts of Saudi Arabia, according to the guidelines.The mission has also urged Indian nationals to follow instructions issued by authorised Saudi authorities through official communication channels.The advisory comes amid heightened security concerns following drone and missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeting Saudi territory, including a deadly strike at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on October 10.The attack killed an Indian national and injured several others, prompting the Indian diplomatic mission to reiterate precautionary measures.Following the October 10 strike, the embassy had urged Indian nationals to follow local authorities' instructions, remain indoors during aerial attacks and refrain from filming, publishing or sharing information, photographs or videos related to the ongoing events.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.