Patna: As missiles streak across West Asian skies and air defence systems intercept projectiles mid-air, thousands of Bihari migrants in the Gulf are living through nights of sirens, falling debris and anxious calls home. The escalating confrontation has triggered fear and uncertainty among expatriate workers from Bihar, many of whom have appealed to the Indian govt for evacuation, while their families back home wait restlessly for reassuring updates.The family of Tausif Khan, a resident of Pathantoli (Begusarai) who works as a technician at an engineering company in Oman, said previously they had regular communication and everything was normal. However, after the recent events, their concerns increased. The family is praying for everyone’s safety and for the situation to normal soon.Abdullah, who hails from Siwan district and works in a construction firm in Dubai, recounted the horror when debris from an intercepted missile fell near the area where he resides. “It was my first encounter with such a war-like situation. We spent the whole night in fear, turning off all the lights. The situation is still tense here. I keep informing my family through video and audio calls, and by sending notes as well,” he said, adding that he planned to return to his hometown before the Eid celebration, which seems bleak now.A Afzal Raza (28) of Dumri village in Begusarai, is spending each day in fear and prayers after the missile attack near Baniyas in Abu Dhabi. He is living in a camp with hundreds of people. “The explosion took place some distance away. When I saw the debris, I realised how dangerous the attack was,” he said. Everyone in the camp has kept their passports, other documents, and cash ready so that they can leave the place at once during an evacuation.His mother, Zaitoon Nisha, in Begusarai, clutched her old button phone in her palm, staring repeatedly at the screen. Each time, she hoped she might get a call from her son. “The call was not going through due to network issues,” she said. “No one slept properly after hearing the news,” she added.Prabhakar Jha from Madhubani, who works in Dubai, said on Monday that the situation is under control. “As a precaution, most offices have issued work-from-home instructions. The traffic has thinned on the roads,” he said.Tarique from Darbhanga recounted that the missile’s debris landed 300 metres from his office on Sunday morning. “My family back at home was terrified when they saw the video and called me. I informed my father and mother that I am fine. It is good that the company issued a circular asking everyone to work online from home,” he said.Yet, even amid this climate of pervasive fear and uncertainty, a quiet but resolute confidence endures among some migrants and their supporters back home. Some workers and professionals are relaying calmer updates, noting that while tension lingers, their immediate surroundings remain relatively secure under local authorities’ guidelines, with safety protocols in place and no direct threats to civilian expatriates reported in many locations.Zohaib Ahmad, who hails from Bettiah, said: “We live here in the Abu Dhabi emirate, in the Al Dannah area, and like many others, we received alerts about the situation unfolding. While some of our friends near the US military base in Abu Dhabi heard explosions and felt their houses shake, we are safe here. There were no explosions in our neighbourhood, and life, while still alert, is steady.”“What really stands out to us is how well the UAE govt managed this. The communication was clear and timely. We never felt left in the dark. The authorities took swift action, and the whole system—from alerts to emergency services—worked like a well-oiled machine. It’s in these moments that we feel how strong and prepared this country really is. We’re grateful for the calm leadership and the proactive steps taken. Knowing that the govt is so efficient gives us peace of mind. We are staying informed, staying safe, and we trust that, as always, the UAE will guide us through this with strength and care,” Ahmad said.Fahad Ansari of Bastwara in Darbhanga, who works in Riyadh, said: “We are safe at our company’s accommodation. There are no problems here.”
