Securely Travel Brief – 22-25 May 2018

This week’s Securely Travel brief was culled from the travel warnings and travel alerts found via news media, government and social networks. Please click on the area of the interactive map for the area of interest.

Two minute video overview:

A brief overview is also provided in list form below.

Country	Content
Oman	Tropical Cyclone 2A is predicted to make landfall 25-26 May 2018 in Oman. The cyclone may also make landfall in Yemen and Somalia.
India	Travelers to South Asia, India specifically should be aware of the recent outbreak of Nipah Virus in the state of Kerala, where ten persons have died following exposure to the Nipah Virus.
Guadalajara, Mexico	US Consulate General Guadalajara issued a warning to employees to “shelter in place” as narco-blockades appear throughout Guadalajara, amidst a police action. Blockades are used by narco-traffickers to slow down the ability of law enforcement to move through a given geographic area.
Colombia	Heavy rains have prompted evacuations downstream from the nation’s largest hydro-electric dam project. Warnings have been issued since 17 May 2018, and the morning of 21 May 2018 indicate that landslides continue to weaken the damn and that flooding continues. Travelers to the Antioquia Department are urged to obtain up-to-date information prior to travel, the Ituango Dam which is fed by Cauca River is currently at high risk of failure.
United States	United States - Hawaii - Kilauea Volcano continues to open new fissures, number 22 is now open, as the current eruptions pushes fissures further southeast. The current fissure is putting a nearby geothermal power plan, which has been shutdown and evacuated for possible lava inundation.
Uganda	Australia warns citizens against travel to within 50 kms of the Uganda/South Sudan border, specifically in the Karamoja region. They note the exceptional high risk of banditry and inter-tribal violence
Jordan	Canada is warning its citizens to avoid travel to the tourist site of “Umm Qais” due to incidents linked to the Syrian conflict. In addition, travelers are advised to avoid all travel to within 5kms of the Syrian border, and Iraqi border. Travelers should also avoid all non-essential travel to refugee camps.
Spain	The US State Department issued a Security Alert concerning the targeting of U.S. citizens, including children in Spain by terrorists. The alert highlights the use of a variety of tactics, to include violence and kidnappings
Hawaii	United States - Hawaii - Kilauea Volcano continues its march to the sea, with two separate entry points into the ocean. As lava enters sea water, toxic fumes are created.
China	US citizen travelers to Guangzho realize that a US Consulate officer reported “abnormal sensations of sound and pressure” suggesting a mild brain injury has medical indications that are “very similar” and “entirely consistent” to those experienced by American diplomats posted in Havana.
Brazil	Brazil - Nationwide strike affecting distribution of goods
Turkey	Turkey - Spontaneous political rallies and demonstrations will be the norm through 24 June 2018 Leading up to the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, the US Department of State advises to avoid political rallies.
India	India - Demonstrations in Tamil Nadu Vehicle fires and fatalities occurred during demonstrations, which are expected to continue.
Ukraine	State Department urges all citizens to avoid the Mariupol area due to increased shelling from Russian supported forces.
Yucatan, Mexico	Severe weather alert has been issued for the Yucatan peninsula - through 26 May
Ukraine	Champions League in Kyiv - be alert for both cyber and physical security issues
Chad	Carjackings on the increase.