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Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana workers living in Israel endure harrowing night of missile strikes near Tel Aviv
Hyderabad: Telangana workers residing in Ramat Gan, a city near Tel Aviv, experienced an unprecedented night of fear and disruption as missile attacks by Iran on the night of June 13-14 triggered repeated air raid sirens and defensive action from Israel's Iron Dome system. 'We spent a sleepless night with sirens wailing continuously as the attacks persisted. Unlike previous incidents, where sirens would sound and then quieten, this time the threat was real and sustained. We could actually hear the missiles and the Iron Dome intercepting them,' a Telangana worker in Ramat Gan told TOI on Saturday. Ramat Gan, home to around 1,000 workers from Telangana—mostly employed as construction labourers or caregivers—has rarely faced such direct threats, even during past conflicts involving Hamas. Workers, who typically live in older buildings equipped with basement bomb shelters, would usually take temporary refuge during sirens and return to their apartments within minutes. But this time was different. 'As the missile barrage continued through the night, many of us moved to newer buildings with larger shelters,' said Soma Ravi, president of the Telangana Israel Association. 'Each flat in these buildings has a designated 'safe room', and the basements offer more spacious shelters. We needed a place where we could remain for hours together,' he told TOI. Many workers in Ramat Gan recalled the harrowing experience of rushing to safe rooms as missiles rained through the night. What was earlier a brief routine of seeking shelter turned into hours-long confinement as the sirens kept blaring and explosions echoed around them. 'For the first time, we had to shift to newer buildings with larger bomb shelters, highlighting the severity and unpredictability of the situation this time,' a worker said. Ravi, who had planned to fly to Hyderabad to meet his daughter visiting from the US, had to postpone his trip as Tel Aviv's airport operations were suspended following the Israeli govt's declaration of a state of emergency. 'I was looking forward to being with my family in Hyderabad. But with the airport shut, I've had to delay my travel plans. I'm hoping the situation improves soon,' he said. Even as workers remained safe, the intensity of the attack was evident. 'Debris from a shot-down missile fell near my building,' one Telangana worker said, underscoring how close the danger came. Despite the tense night, the community is safe and resilient—but for many, it was an experience unlike anything they had faced before. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana workers in Israel urged to stay alert amid escalating tensions
Hyderabad: Telangana workers in Israel have been advised to remain vigilant and respond swiftly to warning sirens as tensions escalate following Israel's airstrikes on Iran. 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. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
