Telangana workers in Israel urged to stay alert amid escalating tensions
A voice message circulated across WhatsApp groups of Telangana workers urged them not to take any risks and immediately shift into safe shelters when sirens are sounded.
"This is an unprecedented situation.
We must act responsibly and follow all government instructions for our safety," said Soma Ravi, president of the Israel Telangana Association, speaking to TOI from Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv on Friday.
The message was shared widely among the nearly 1,000 Telangana workers in Israel, most of whom are employed in construction or as caregivers in and around Ramat Gan.
"We've always responded promptly to alerts.
But given the current situation, we are staying extra cautious. Sirens can go off any time," Ravi added.
Recalling the events of the night of June 12–13, after Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes on Iran using over 200 fighter jets, Mahesh Merugu, a worker from Telangana, said: "Around 3 am, sirens went off. We rushed into the safe room and stayed there for 40 minutes."
Other workers said that depending on the alert level, they sometimes exit shelters after 10 minutes.
"We must reach the nearest safe spot within two minutes when a siren sounds," Ravi explained.
Interestingly, many workers are choosing not to inform their families back home about the real situation. "The moment we call and say we're safe, our families start worrying. We don't want to give them unnecessary anxiety. So far, we've never faced any serious problem here," Mahesh said.
Despite the heightened tensions, the workers remain unfazed.
They said they would consider returning to India only if directed by the Indian govt, but none are currently inclined to leave.
Even though Israel has declared a national emergency, the workers said buses are running, allowing them to reach their workplaces. While educational institutions and the Tel Aviv airport remain closed, they said daily life continues without major disruptions.
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