News & Reports

Travel disruptions are possible across Italy this week. A nationwide aviation strike has been rescheduled to February 26, but schedule adjustments and labor tensions may still affect flights. High-speed rail services have also experienced delays on key routes, and major airports have reported recent congestion and cancellations amid high demand. Further delays may occur over the coming days.

Spanish authorities and the national meteorological agency AEMET have issued weather alerts due to strong winds, heavy rainfall, and high coastal waves affecting several regions. Wind gusts have reached up to approximately 140 km/h in exposed coastal areas. Flooding risks remain elevated in low-lying zones and near riverbeds. Local disruptions, including temporary road closures and transport delays, have been reported in some provinces. Weather conditions may continue to fluctuate as additional storm systems move across the Iberian Peninsula.

Advice :
* Avoid coastal walkways and exposed cliff areas due to strong winds and high waves.
* Allow extra time for travel due to possible transport disruptions
* Avoid driving through flooded roads or low-visibility areas
* Confirm flight and train schedules before departure
– Monitor local AEMET warnings for your specific province

Saint Lucia has stepped up its watch for the Nipah virus after India confirmed cases in the southern state of Kerala. Nipah is a rare but severe viral infection that can be transmitted from animals to humans and is associated with high mortality rates. Travelers to Saint Lucia should be aware of the situation and take precautions.

The Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) has raised an alarm over a leaking sewer pipe that is discharging waste into the Lilongwe River, posing health and environmental risks to the city’s residents.

Authorities launched the Plan Centinela Metropolitano in Zone 18, with visible deployments of the National Civil Police and the Guatemalan Army. The operation is intended to reinforce security and maintain state presence in high risk areas, and may bring more patrols, stops, and enforcement activity around key corridors and nearby facilities. Travelers should expect slower traffic, occasional access controls, and short notice route changes in and around Zone 18 as operations expand and adjust.

 

Recommended Actions:
1. Avoid unnecessary travel through Zone 18 during peak enforcement periods
2. Allow extra time, expect checkpoints and congestion, keep ID available
3. Follow official instructions and use alternate routes if access is restricted

 

Greece’s national weather service has issued a warning for deteriorating conditions, with locally heavy rain and thunderstorms, possible hail, and very strong winds forecast to reach up to 10 Beaufort in some areas. Impacts may include hazardous driving conditions, localized flooding, ferry and small craft disruptions, and delays on coastal and island routes, especially as the strongest weather moves through on Tuesday across western regions, parts of the Aegean, and Crete.

 

Recommended Actions:
1. Avoid unnecessary travel during peak conditions, especially coastal roads and flood prone routes
2. Check ferry, flight, and public transport updates before departure, expect cancellations or delays
3. Secure loose items, stay clear of exposed seafronts, and follow local emergency guidance and alerts

 

Southwest France remains on high alert as the Garonne continues to flood, inundating roads and low-lying areas in multiple towns. Local authorities have urged caution as water levels remain elevated, with access restrictions, disrupted rail and road travel, and potential evacuations in the most exposed zones. Conditions may shift quickly depending on rainfall and river flow, and delays can continue even after water levels begin to drop.

 

Recommended Actions:
1. Avoid flooded roads and riverfront areas, follow local instructions and barriers
2. Check live updates for road closures, rail disruptions, and local emergency notices before travel
3. Keep plans flexible, allow extra time, and relocate early if you are in a low-lying or flood-prone area

 

A week-long test of the ceasefire proposed by Angola is underway in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to evaluate its effectiveness, after previous failures. Travelers should exercise caution and monitor the situation.

China is experiencing significant travel congestion as Lunar New Year celebrations continue through February 23. The annual “Spring Festival travel rush” is expected to generate hundreds of millions of trips nationwide, with airports, railway stations, and highways operating at peak capacity. High passenger volumes are increasing the likelihood of flight delays, crowded high-speed trains, long queues, and traffic congestion in and around major cities and transport hubs.

Flooding and transportation disruptions are expected to continue across Indonesia through February 19 due to heavy to very heavy rainfall. Floodwaters have reached up to 30 cm in some areas, including parts of Jakarta. Train services along the northern route of Central Java remain disrupted. Ongoing rainfall raises the risk of flash flooding, road closures, fallen trees, and localized power outages, with further travel disruptions likely.