News & Reports

Heavy rainfall and poor visibility on Sunday, May 4, have caused widespread disruption across several districts in Nepal. Numerous domestic flights were cancelled or diverted, and an international flight bound for Kathmandu was rerouted to Varanasi, India. Mountain flights were suspended, while airports in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Biratnagar remained operational. Heavy rain also triggered flooding and landslides, blocking major highways including the East-West Highway, Kanti Lokpath, Araniko Highway, and Prithvi Highway.\   Advice : - Avoid Non-Essential Travel: Refrain from travelling in affected areas during the alert period. - ⁠Exercise Caution: Be vigilant for flash flooding and landslides, particularly along highways and in hilly terrain. - ⁠Stay Informed: Monitor updates from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and local emergency services. - ⁠MAGNUS is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary.  

From May 5 to May 11, French rail unions, including CGT-Cheminots and Sud-Rail, launched a nationwide strike over pay, work schedules, and new staffing software, causing widespread disruption to train services. The strike affects high-speed TGV, regional TER, and suburban trains, with expected delays and cancellations. Train drivers will strike from May 7, while train controllers are set to strike May 9–11, overlapping with a busy holiday weekend. Advice: * Significant disruptions expected—check your train’s status through official channels before departure and prepare for possible last-minute cancellations. * If traveling to or from airports (e.g., Charles de Gaulle, Lyon Saint-Exupéry), arrange alternative transport in advance, such as shuttle buses or licensed taxis. * Consider alternate intercity travel options such as car rentals or long-distance buses. * Arrive early to stations due to expected crowding and potential platform changes.  

The Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) initiated a nationwide strike on May 5, involving Finnair staff to demand improved working conditions and employment benefits. The industrial action has led to the cancellation of approximately 100 Finnair flights, with a significant concentration at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL/EFHK). The strike impacts various services, including passenger operations and ground handling. Other airlines operating in Finland may also experience disruptions to ground handling and cargo services due to the widespread nature of the strike.   Advice: - Check Flight Status: Before heading to the airport, verify your flight status through Finnair's official channels or your booking platform. - Rebooking and Refunds: If your flight is canceled, Finnair will contact you directly to offer alternative routing options. Be prepared for potential delays in rebooking due to high demand. - Pack Essentials: Given potential delays in baggage handling, carry essential items, including medications and important documents, in your hand luggage. - Allow Extra Time: Anticipate longer airport wait times due to increased congestion and reduced staffing levels. - Consider Alternative Travel: If your travel is non-essential, consider postponing your trip or exploring alternative transportation methods.  

Meteorological officials have issued orange weather warnings for thunderstorms and rain across Tuscany, Liguria, Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, effective from 02:00 to 23:59 local time (00:00 to 21:59 GMT) on May 5. Additionally, yellow warnings have been issued for thunderstorms and strong winds in Sardinia, Sicily, Apulia, Campania, Umbria, and Marche during the same time period.   Advice: - Severe weather increases risks of disruptions and hazards. Postpone non-essential travel in areas under orange warnings, especially low-lying regions prone to flooding, through May 5. - Check road conditions before traveling, do not attempt to cross flooded streets, and refrain from driving through flooded roads. - Ensure mobile phones and other essential battery-powered devices remain fully charged to stay prepared for extended power outages. - Stay informed by regularly checking weather forecasts and advisories from meteorological services.  

On May 5, 2025, the Active Reserve of Colombia’s Military and Police Forces will hold coordinated rallies in various cities, starting at 08:00 local time (13:00 GMT). The main rally locations are as follows: - Bogotá: Ministry of Defense - Barranquilla: Plaza de la Paz - Bucaramanga: Carrera 27 - Manizales: Plaza de Bolívar   Advice: - Expect increased security presence, road closures, and potential traffic delays near rally locations. Plan alternative routes accordingly. - If not participating, steer clear of the specified locations during the event times to minimize exposure to large crowds and potential unrest. - Remain vigilant in crowded areas, and be aware of your surroundings. Report any suspicious activities to local authorities. - Adhere to guidance and directives issued by law enforcement and event organizers to ensure personal safety.  

As of May 4, 2025, continuous rainfall has caused significant disruptions across key highways in central and western Nepal: - Kantilok Path (Makawanpur–Lalitpur): A diversion over the Bagmati River near Bhimphedi was swept away by flooding, halting traffic. - Araniko Highway (Bhaktapur): Traffic is restricted to one direction due to rain-induced difficulties on the Suryabinayak–Jagati section. Light vehicles are being diverted via Jagati, Chyamasingh, Tathali, and Nala to reach Banepa, while heavy vehicles are halted at Sallaghari and Jagati. - Butwal–Narayanghat Road (East-West Highway): The Daunne section has become dangerously slippery due to early morning rainfall, rendering it impassable near the Bishwakarma Temple. - Kaligandaki Corridor: The route has been blocked by a landslide near Hiunde Khola in Gaindakot Municipality. Mudslides continue in the area.   Advice: - Refrain from using the roads listed above to prevent delays.​ until authorities confirm they are safe. - If travel is essential, consult with local authorities or transportation services to identify safe alternative routes. - Do not drive through flooded roads; even shallow water can be dangerous. Heed road closure signs. - Be vigilant for potential landslides and flooding, especially in hilly and mountainous regions. - Anticipate significant travel delays and plan accordingly, ensuring you have adequate supplies and emergency contacts.  

Aerial bombings targeted the only hospital and pharmacy operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Old Fangak, a remote town in northern South Sudan, On May 3. The attacks resulted in at least seven deaths and 20 injuries. The initial strike destroyed the pharmacy and damaged the hospital, while subsequent airstrikes hit a nearby market, causing widespread panic and displacement. ​The perpetrators and motives behind the attack remain unknown.   Advice: - Refrain non-essential travel to or through Old Fangak and surrounding regions due to ongoing security risks.​ - Anticipate potential disruptions to the region's healthcare services and other essential infrastructure.​ - If caught in a similar situation, seek immediate shelter in an enclosed area away from windows and doors. - Regularly monitor local news outlets and official communications for updates on the security situation and any advisories.​ - Have an emergency plan in place, including ready access to essential documents and supplies, in case evacuation becomes necessary.​  

On May 4, 2025, a ballistic missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels impacted Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's primary international gateway. The missile struck a grove adjacent to the airport's access road, within the airport's perimeter. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attempted to intercept the missile but were unsuccessful. ​ Emergency services reported that at least one person sustained light injuries from shrapnel in the airport's parking area. ​ The incident led to the temporary closure of Ben Gurion Airport (operations are now resumed) and the suspension of train services in the area. ​   Advice: - Respond to Missile Sirens: If a missile siren is activated, seek shelter immediately and remain there for at least 10 minutes.​ - Check Flight Status: If you have travel plans involving Ben Gurion Airport, verify your flight status with the airline before heading to the airport.​ - Follow instructions from local authorities and emergency services.​ - Prepare for Disruptions: Anticipate potential disruptions to transportation and public services in the vicinity of the incident.​ - Follow Official Instructions: Closely follow all instructions and advisories from officials.​ - For official updates, advisories, and instructions, visit the Home Front Command's website: https://www.oref.org.il/eng  

On May 2, 2025, health officials announced measures to address outbreaks of yellow fever and whooping cough, following the confirmation of a third yellow fever case in Zamora Chinchipe, with a fourth case under investigation. Yellow fever, transmitted by infected mosquitoes, has prompted vaccination campaigns targeting ages 1–60 and epidemiological surveillance, including quarantine for suspected cases and contact tracing. Whooping cough measures include intensified vaccination drives for children and high-risk groups, alongside public awareness efforts. Both diseases pose risks of severe complications, particularly in unvaccinated populations, with yellow fever cases linked to Amazonian mosquito activity.   Advice: - Yellow fever and whooping cough outbreaks increase health risks across Ecuador. Refrain from non-essential travel to Zamora Chinchipe and rural Amazonian areas until vaccination coverage improves. - If in Ecuador, ensure yellow fever vaccination (single dose, valid for life) and confirm whooping cough vaccination status (DTaP or Tdap). Avoid mosquito-prone areas and use repellents during the day. - Suggested alternatives include redirecting travel to coastal areas like Guayaquil, accessible via flights from Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Airport with LATAM Ecuador. - Travelers should practice strict hygiene, wear long clothing to prevent mosquito bites, and avoid contact with unvaccinated individuals. Adhere to essential travel plans only. - Stay informed through government-affiliated sources such as the Ecuador Ministry of Public Health (www.salud.gob.ec) or Pan American Health Organization (www.paho.org) for outbreak updates. Conditions may escalate rapidly. - Contact 171 for immediate assistance if experiencing symptoms like fever, jaundice, or severe cough.  

On May 3, 2025, heavy rainfall is affecting 43 provinces, with significant impacts in southern regions and 60% of Bangkok, increasing risks of flash floods and forest run-off in low-lying areas and near waterways. Easterly and northwesterly winds are driving moisture across the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, with waves reaching 1 meter and exceeding 2 meters during thunderstorms. The forecast warns of continued heavy rain in 40 provinces on May 4, with thunderstorms and strong winds in northern, northeastern, and central regions, alongside moderate dust and haze accumulation.   Advice: - Heavy rainfall elevates risks of flash floods and travel disruptions across Thailand. Refrain from traveling to low-lying areas or near waterways in southern provinces and Bangkok until conditions stabilize. - If in Bangkok or southern Thailand, avoid flooded roads and use elevated routes like Sukhumvit or Silom in Bangkok. Arrange accommodations in urban centers with drainage systems, such as central Bangkok or Phuket city. - Suggested alternatives include redirecting travel to Chiang Mai, accessible via flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport with Thai Airways, pending airport operations. - Travelers should wear waterproof gear, avoid coastal areas during thunderstorms, and monitor weather updates. Adhere to essential travel plans only. - Stay informed through government-affiliated sources such as the Thai Meteorological Department (www.tmd.go.th) or Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (www.disaster.go.th) for weather and flood updates. Conditions may escalate rapidly. - Contact 191 for immediate assistance if stranded or in danger.