News & Reports

Pro-Palestinian protests are planned across Australia on August 24, encouraging mass participation in cities and towns. Organized by several notable groups, some with a history of disorder, there are concerns about potential escalations during the events. Two significant protests are scheduled for this day of action: one will leave from Hyde Park in Sydney at 1 PM, and the other will start from the State Library in Melbourne at 12 PM.   Advice: - Avoid the area on the 24th to reduce the risk of unintentional involvement. - Expect increased police presence and traffic diversions throughout the surrounding area. - Check for changes in public transportation and main street closures. - Refrain from engaging in geopolitical discussions with protesters or bystanders, and if tensions escalate, leave the area immediately to ensure personal safety.  

The RMT (National Union of Rail, UK) is set to strike on Saturday, August 23, and Monday, August 25, resulting in significant reductions in CrossCountry services. In addition, expect cancellations on Sunday, August 24, and anticipate that remaining services will be very busy.   Advice: - If possible, avoid rail travel on strike days. - Check your train status before traveling and allow extra time for a smoother journey. - Consider alternative transportation options, such as buses and other rail services.  

Mumbai experienced heavy rainfall today, leading to a ‘red’ alert for the city and the Thane and Raigad districts for the next two days. Local trains are running late, and airlines like Akasa Air and IndiGo have advised travelers to allow extra time. Both lanes of the Andheri subway are closed to traffic, and the police warn of slow-moving traffic.   Advice: - Avoid non-essential travel in these districts; monitor IMD alerts and flight updates. - Stay away from rivers, streams, and low-lying or landslide-prone areas. - Travel only if necessary. Roads may be blocked or dangerously slippery-proceed slowly and avoid all flooded segments. - Keep emergency supplies, important documents, and valuables in waterproof storage.  

Health authorities report increasing cases of West Nile virus in both Greece and Italy, with activity spreading across many regions. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause fever, rash, or in rare cases, severe neurological illness.   Advice: - Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535. - Wear long sleeves and trousers, especially during dawn and dusk. - Stay in air-conditioned or screened accommodations. - Avoid standing water areas where mosquitoes breed. - Seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, or muscle weakness.  

The railway administration has announced a mega block from August 17–21 to install an automatic block signal system between Govindnagar–Tinich–Gaur–Babhanan. Several trains, including the Gorakhpur–Lucknow Intercity and other passenger services, will be canceled on select dates. Additional trains will be diverted, delayed, or run without stops at Gaur and Babhanan stations. Travelers on this route should expect significant disruptions.   Advice: - Consider alternate travel options, including buses or flights, during the block period. - Allow extra time for connections and expect delays. - Avoid relying on Gaur and Babhanan stations between August 17–21. - Check train status before departure on the Indian Railways Enquiry website  

Italy’s volcano observatory (INGV) reports increasing activity at Mount Etna. A new vent opened on August 14, releasing steady lava flows down the southern slope, reaching around 2400 m elevation. Small bursts of lava and glowing rocks are also being thrown from the summit, along with occasional light ash clouds.   Advice: - Stay away from the summit area and southern slopes where lava is flowing. - Be cautious of falling ash or small rocks in nearby areas. - Use a mask or cover your mouth/nose if ash is present. - Follow updates from INGV, civil protection, and local authorities.  

Air Canada flight attendants are continuing their strike despite a government order to return to work, leaving more than 100,000 travelers stranded during peak summer season. The airline has canceled nearly 500 flights and warns disruptions could last 7–10 days until operations stabilize. Refunds and limited rebooking through other airlines are available, but seats are scarce.   Advice: - Check your flight status frequently on the airline’s website or app before traveling to the airport. - Expect delays, cancellations, and limited availability on alternative carriers. - Allow extra time at airports and prepare contingency plans, including overnight stays. - Monitor Air Canada’s official updates https://www.aircanada.com/il/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2025/ac-action.html#/  

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch through Monday evening as outer bands of Tropical Storm Erin bring heavy rainfall, mainly across southern and eastern Puerto Rico. Urban, stream, and coastal flooding are possible, along with landslides or mudslides in hilly terrain. Poor drainage areas and low-water crossings are at heightened risk.   Advice: - Avoid non-essential travel in flood-prone or low-lying areas. - Prepare for possible road closures, flash floods, and disruptions to transport. - Monitor NWS updates: weather.gov/safety/flood - Prepare emergency supplies, charge devices, and secure important documents.  

Local sources indicated that continuous heavy rainfall since the evening of August 16 has triggered multiple landslides, blocking several sections of the Karnali Highway in Gaganekhola and Bihani in Kalikot district, Khidki Jyula in Dailekh district, and in parts of Jumla district, Karnali province, since late evening hours local time on August 16 due to landslides caused by heavy rainfall.   Advice: - Avoid all non-essential travel on the Karnali Corridor - particularly in affected segments between Kalikot, Dailekh, and Jumla. - If travel is unavoidable, verify passable routes; avoid attempting crossings through flooded or debris-laden areas. - Expect prolonged delays, roadblocks, and transportation halts - plan for possible overnight stranding. - Keep mobile devices fully charged and remain in contact with local contacts and authorities for real-time updates.  

Heavy monsoon rains and resultant flash floods and landslides have severely damaged infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh. Local authorities report 374 roads blocked, including key sections of NH-305 near Jhed (Kullu) and NH-05 in Kinnaur. Districts of Mandi, Kullu, and Kinnaur are particularly hard-hit. Power and water supply systems have also been severely affected.   Advice: - Avoid non-essential travel - especially in affected districts and along landslide-prone routes. In case of walking or necessary travel, avoid riverbanks, unstable slopes, and unsanctioned detour routes. - Expect disruptions: Road closures, public transport suspension, and difficulty in emergency access. - Prepare for basic service interruptions: Water and electricity may remain unavailable for extended periods. Keep mobile devices charged and stock up on bottled water.