Canada issues travel advisories due to storm and power outage in these countries

Storms and a nationwide power outage are behind some of Canada’s new travel advisories.

The federal government maintains a Travel Advice and Advisories page to help travellers make informed decisions and travel safely outside Canada.

They analyze trends and incidents affecting international travellers, monitor world events and collect updated reports from different sources.

Here are some countries with updated travel advisories:

India

Risks: Cyclone and threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country.

Reasons: There are calls for protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada in traditional media and on social media due to tensions between Canada and India. Demonstrations, including anti-Canada protests, could occur and Canadians may be subjected to intimidation or harassment. In Delhi and the National Capital Region, you should keep a low profile with strangers, and not share your personal information with them.

Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall on the coast of Odisha and West Bengal on Friday, Oct. 25. The storm is likely to bring excessive rainfall and violent winds. It may cause flash flooding and landslides and could severely disrupt essential services such as transportation, power and emergency services.

Cuba

Risks: National power outage

Reasons: Since Oct. 18, Cuba has had a nationwide power outage, including in Havana. There is no confirmation as to when electricity services will be restored. Most hotels and resorts use generators during power outages. However, they may not be able to maintain their services should the outage persist. Some airlines could cancel certain flights to regions in the country.

Nepal

Risks: Fragile political and security situation, and dengue.

Reasons: Political protests are common in Nepal and sometimes result in violence. Transport and public services may be disrupted at short notice.

Politically motivated protests have been particularly volatile in Kathmandu as well as in Nepal’s southern region bordering India, which has resulted in supply shortages and affected border crossings at times.

Nepal also has a new warning about dengue as many countries are reporting cases. Dengue is a disease spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Some people infected with dengue may not show symptoms. If symptoms develop, they usually begin four to seven days after the mosquito bite and typically last two to seven days.

Dengue is a risk in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.

Türkiye

Risks: Threat of terrorist attacks and the possibility of demonstrations throughout the country.

Reasons: There was a terrorist attack at the Turkish Aerospace Industries company in Ankara on Oct. 23. Explosions and gunfire resulted in casualties. Security forces have cordoned off the area.

Travellers should avoid the area, follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders and monitor local news to stay informed of the situation.

Since October 2023, protests have occurred throughout Türkiye due to the ongoing situation in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Some protesters have targeted and vandalized popular Western-branded businesses and foreign diplomatic missions.

Bahamas

Risks: High rates of crime, especially in Freeport and Nassau, and the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar.

Reasons: Violent crime occurs and is often related to gang activity. The most common crimes committed against travellers in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, and Nassau are armed robberies, burglaries, fraud, sexual assaults and theft.

Robberies also occur in cruise ship terminals and in and around popular resort areas, even in daylight hours. Crime increases during the holidays.

On Oct. 20, Hurricane Oscar made landfall on Great Inagua Island in the southeastern Bahamas. The storm brought excessive rainfall and violent winds. It caused flooding and landslides. Essential services such as transportation, power, water and food could be disrupted.

For a complete list of advisories and further information, see the website here.

Lead Photo of Eleuthera, Bahamas: Cristofer Maximilian