LUCKNOW: A harrowing scene unfolds as a distraught woman exclaims, “Bahut dar lag raha hai!” amidst the cacophony of missile sirens and her four-year-old daughter’s desperate tears. A family from Lucknow, stranded in Qatar, has shared a chilling video with loved ones back home, conveying the terror of being caught in a conflict zone.The woman’s concern is palpable as she expresses concern about the missiles’ interception. Her voice shakes with worry as she tells her husband: “Door hato wahan zor se blast hua hai… saari missiles intercept nahi ho rahi hain. (Stay away. There has been a powerful explosion. Not all missiles are being intercepted)”.

Her daughter’s heartbreaking cries echo in the background, amplifying the tension and underscoring her desperate plea for safety. The family’s experience is a sobering illustration of how quickly circumstances can escalate, leaving one feeling vulnerable and anxious. “We were planning to visit Lucknow after almost one year for Holi. Everything was in place until the war broke out,” said the 42-year-old woman, a software engineer in Qatar. Talking to TOI over the phone, she said: “The constant barrage of missiles is incredibly unsettling, making it impossible to catch a wink of sleep… Every siren feels like a nightmare.” Back home in Lucknow’s Jankipuram, their family is on the edge. “What is happening there? Why isn’t anyone answering? I pray for my kids’ safety. We are not sleeping till they do,” said a 71-year-old grandmother, clutching the doll she bought for her granddaughter. “Praying they are safe, Holi can wait,” she said, her eyes welling up with worry. Explosions are still reported in Bahrain and Qatar, as Iran continues to target Gulf nations with retaliatory strikes. Dubai now has the momentous task of handling tens of thousands of displaced passengers and piecing its network back together while trying to minimise damage to Dubai-bound passenger traffic that represents half the airport’s total. According to a text message shared by the family, the Ministry of Interior has stressed that “the circulation or publication of rumours will constitute a violation subject to legal accountability”. It has urged everyone to “rely solely on authorised official sources for information, in order to safeguard security and public safety”. The UAE’s Ministry of Defence reported that its air defences have intercepted a significant number of threats, including 876 drones, 175 ballistic missiles, and eight cruise missiles, as part of its efforts to protect the country amidst escalating tensions.