News & Reports

Severe thunderstorms are ongoing over the Free State and southern KwaZulu-Natal, with hail, heavy downpours, and strong winds possible. Localised flooding and damage to infrastructure may occur, especially around Bloemfontein, Welkom, and Port Shepstone. At the same time, very high to extreme fire danger is in effect across the western Free State, North West, Northern Cape, and Lowveld. By Monday, a cold front will bring additional gusty winds across the country, worsening fire risk.   Advice: *Avoid driving on flooded or muddy roads during storms. *Avoid non-essential travel during heavy rain or thunderstorms and driving or walking on flooded roads. *During heavy rains and thunderstorms, stay indoors and avoid non-essential exits from buildings *Do not light open fires in areas under fire danger warnings. *Prepare for possible disruptions to power and road travel. *Stay updated with weather alerts on the South African Weather Service website.  

Pro-Palestine protests are planned to take place in some major cities tomorrow against the Israel-Hamas war, alleged genocide in Gaza, and to support the Global Sumud Flotilla. The protests are expected to take place in the following places: Australia & New Zealand: - Stafford Park, Auckland, Auckland at 9:30AM. - Narrm, Flinders & Swanston, Melbourne, VIC at 11:00AM. - Hyde Park, Sydney, NSW at 12:00PM. - Civic Square, Canberra, ACT at 12:00PM. Brazil: - Embaixada de Israel, Brasília at 10:00AM Outside the Israeli Embassy. - Praça Mauá, Rio de Janeiro at 10:00AM. - Praça Roosevelt, São Paulo at 2:00PM. Greece: - Syntagma Square, Athens at 7:00PM. Advice: - Avoid areas around the mentioned places all day long - tensions may rise and spread rapidly. - Protest dynamics can shift unexpectedly. Maintain a safe distance and follow the directions of law enforcement. - Expect increased police presence and traffic diversions throughout the surrounding area. - Refrain from engaging in geopolitical discussions with protesters or bystanders. If tensions escalate, leave the area immediately. - In case of emergency, call 112 in Greece, 000 in Australia, 111 in New Zealand, and 190/199 in Brazil.  

Strong winds are set to batter most of England and Wales on Sunday. A yellow weather warning for 45 to 55mph gusts covers most of these areas, starting at 8pm Sunday and lasting until 6pm Monday. In exposed locations, winds could reach 70mph. The warning predicts transport delays. Large waves may affect coastal areas, with possible short-term power outages. Advice: - Check your journey status before leaving. Monitor airline, National Rail, and highway alerts closely. - Do not travel on exposed roads, bridges, or coastal routes where winds are strongest. - Do not approach seafronts, piers, or cliff edges. Waves may overtop barriers and knock off balance. - Charge phones, power banks, and essential devices ahead of the warning. Carry a small flashlight in case of short outages. - Follow local authority updates and Met Office alerts for changes in warning level.  

An active Monsoon caused widespread thunderstorms and heavy rain. Authorities have issued flood warnings, particularly in low-lying and foothill areas near waterways. Rough sea conditions are expected, with waves potentially exceeding 2 meters during storms. The warnings remain in effect through September 15.   Advice:

• Avoid traveling to low-lying and mountain areas at risk of flooding or landslides, especially near rivers and foothills.
• Adjust travel plans to avoid potential disruptions
• Refrain from swimming, sailing, or other sea activities.
• Keep an emergency kit handy, including a power bank, and essential documents in waterproof bags.
• Follow updates from the Thai Meteorological Department -https://www.tmd.go.th/en/

 

Nepal faces widespread protests driven by the youth-led “Gen Z” movement, sparked by corruption, inequality, and a now-lifted social media ban. Clashes between protesters and security forces have resulted in casualties, arson targeting government and private properties, and the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. Curfews remain in effect in Kathmandu and other cities, with the army deployed to maintain order. The India-Nepal border, the Panitanki crossing, reopened after a three-day closure, and Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu resumed operations under heavy military security, with possible flight disruptions.   Advice:

• Avoid protest areas in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other urban centers; curfews and checkpoints remain active.
• Stay indoors during curfew hours and comply with army and police directives.
• Expect flight suspensions; adjust travel plans to avoid potential disruption.
• Stay clear of government buildings, police stations, and large gatherings.
• Do not engage with protesters or security forces; maintain a safe distance from crowds to avoid potential clashes and injuries.

 

Parts of Bangkok’s Prawet district (Nong Bon sub-district) and nearby Samut Prakan have been declared temporary epidemic zones after rabies cases were detected, with a 30-day ban on the movement of dogs, cats, and other mammals in place from September 9 to October 8. Rabies is a fatal disease that can spread from animals to humans, and anyone bitten or scratched must immediately wash the wound with soap and water and seek urgent rabies vaccination at a hospital. Advice: - Avoid contact with stray or unknown animals. - Do not move pets in or out of the restricted zones during the ban. - Ensure your pets are properly vaccinated against rabies. - Supervise children closely around animals. - In emergency cases, call Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development Hotline at +66 63-225-6888 or seek immediate care at the nearest hospital.  

Pro-Palestine protests are planned to take place in some major cities tomorrow against the Israel-Hamas war, alleged genocide in Gaza, and Israel's participation in several local events. The protests are expected to take place in the following cities: - Francophonie Park, Québec, Canada at 9:00AM. - Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, Sardinia, Italy at 10:30AM. - Sveriges Riksdag (Parliament House), Stockholm, Sweden at 12:00PM. 1.75km from the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm. - Garrison Grounds, Halifax, NS, Canada at 2:30PM. - Bryant Park NYPL Steps, New York, NY, US at 6:00PM. 1km from the Israeli Consulate in NYC. Advice: - Avoid areas around the mentioned places all day long - tensions may rise and spread rapidly. - Protest dynamics can shift unexpectedly. Maintain a safe distance and follow the directions of law enforcement. - Expect increased police presence and traffic diversions throughout the surrounding area. - Refrain from engaging in geopolitical discussions with protesters or bystanders. If tensions escalate, leave the area immediately. - In case of emergency, call 112 in Europe or 911 in the US and Canada.  

An Ebola outbreak (EBOV) continues to spread in Kasai Province. Since late August, at least 68 suspected and confirmed cases and 16 deaths have been recorded, including health workers. Authorities have imposed confinement measures in affected towns, restricted inter-district travel, and suspended public gatherings. The national risk has been assessed as high, regional as moderate, and global as low. Advice: - Avoid entering and staying in Kasai province. - Stay updated on the official health websites of the World Health Organization. - Maintain hygiene, wash your hands with soap and water, and use disinfectants. - Drink clean water from closed bottles and eat well-cooked food. - Avoid contact with blood, vomit, and other body fluids. - If symptoms such as high fever, severe diarrhea, or vomiting appear, seek medical attention immediately.  

Heavy rain flooded Tokyo streets and disrupted rail and air traffic on Thursday. Because of lightning, air traffic control and other ground services at Haneda Airport were halted, which prevented aircraft from taking off. The bullet train and several other railway lines in the region also suspended operations. Forecasters warned of more overnight thunderstorms and advised residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and monitor weather updates. Advice: * Avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve, and stay indoors during thunderstorms. * If you must travel, check real-time updates from the Japan Meteorological Agency, and your airline before departure. * Allow extra time for journeys and prepare alternative routes in case of rail or airport delays. * At Haneda Airport, expect possible flight cancellations and extended waiting times. Keep water, snacks, and phone chargers on hand. * Stay clear of flooded streets and underpasses - water levels may rise quickly.  

The Manila Water Authority has announced a planned water service interruption due to emergency repairs in several areas of the city. The interruptions are scheduled to occur between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM. More water interruptions in the city are also expected on September 11-12. Advice: - Prepare enough water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene during the interruption. - Make sure your hotel has backup water tanks and avoid booking a hotel without a backup water tank; expect reduced water pressure after the water interruption - Prepare for post-repair restoration; run taps briefly and filter water until it clears.