'We returned to Dubai around midnight (local time) and took the flight to Bangalore three hours later at 03.30 a.m., as there was no direct flight to Hyderabad,' recalled the official, who had accompanied Krishna.

Though Krishna was planning to rush to Pulivendala in Kadapa district for Reddy's last rites, inclement weather and rain in the Rayalaseema region prevented him from flying to the venue by a chopper.

'Bad roads and long distance (about 250 km) have also prevented Krishna from going to Pulivendala by road in time for the last rites. Krishna plans to meet Reddy's bereaved family at Kadapa or in Hyderabad Saturday,' the official said.

Krishna attended the India-Brazil joint commission meeting Aug 31 and participated in the ministerial meeting of the IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) countries Sep 1 to finalise the agenda of the IBSA summit of the heads of the state in November.

The first IBSA summit was held in Brasilia in 2006, followed by the Johannesburg summit in 2007. New Delhi hosted the third IBSA summit last year.