Incident description: Arizona and Southern California, including San Diego, has been affected by a large power failure which has left millions of people without electricity. The power outage reportedly affected the area from San Clemente in southern Orange County south to Mexico's Baja peninsula and east to Yuma, Arizona. Official reports indicate that the power outage was caused by a transmission line failure. Widespread road, rail and air travel disruptions have been reported across the area. Lindbergh Field International Airport in San Diego is operating on generator power and has reportedly cancelled all outbound flights while incoming flights are still landing. It currently remains unclear when power will be restored; however, San Diego Gas & Electric Co. officials have indicated that power outages may be experienced across the region until 10 September; and that further power outages can not currently be discounted.

Analysis: Power outages of this nature are uncommon in the United States and are generally swiftly resolved.

Advice: Travellers currently in California and Arizona are advised to defer all road and rail travel where possible until power has been restored. Travellers transiting through or departing from Lindbergh Field International Airport are advised to contact their travel provider for updated flight information. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: The United States is set to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks which killed 2,993 people. Security has been heightened across the country amid a specific, credible but unconfirmed threat of terrorist attacks on the day. New York City, Washington DC, and western Pennsylvania are considered to be at the highest risk, although terrorist attacks targeting other cities across the country cannot be ruled out. Security in New York City has been significantly elevated with thousands of extra police officers deployed to police lower Manhattan ahead of a commemoration observance to be held at the World Trade Center site on 11 September; President Barak Obama, former President George W. Bush and hundreds of dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremony. Security has further been heightened at transport infrastructure, with particular attention given to subway systems, bridges and tunnels. Security has also been heightened at all ports of entry into the country, including airports and sea ports, and is expected to be significantly increased at all US diplomatic missions around the world.

Analysis: On 1 May President Obama confirmed the death of Osama bin Laden, the founder and most prominent figure of the al-Qaeda terrorist organisation. Bin Laden was killed in an operation conducted by US forces in northern Pakistan. Credible evidence has since come to light that bin Laden urged his followers to execute attacks on symbolic dates. The possibility of al-Qaeda, or its affiliates, attempting to perpetrate an attack on US soil on 11 September in retribution for the killing of bin Laden cannot be ruled out. Should a terrorist attack occur it is likely to be aimed at high-profile targets, such as government buildings, symbolic locations and public transport infrastructure.

Advice: Clients in or planning to travel to the US are advised to expect heightened security at all ports of entry, particularly airports, across the country. Clients are further advised to expect localised travel delays in all major cities as commemoration services are expected countrywide. Travellers should note that police may perform random spot checks on the day and, if stopped, travellers are advised to comply with police demands. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: The All Assam Students Union (AASU) has called for a series of demonstrations in India's north eastern Assam state in response to a controversial land swap agreement between the India's Congress-led government and the administration of neighbouring Bangladesh. On 9 September, protest rallies will be organised in several major districts across the state. The demonstrations will be followed by a one-hour long blockade of all state highways on 10 September and a mass state-wide rally on 15 September.

Analysis: The AASU, who have long been campaigning against Bangladeshi migrants in Assam state, are claiming that the agreement, which will see India cede 270 hectares of land to neighbouring Bangladesh, has been proposed without the consultation of the residents who will be directly affected by the proposal. Protests in India generally carry a credible risk of turning violent with little to no warning. Indian security forces are known to respond to such gatherings with robust crowd control tactics, including the use of tear gas, baton charges and water cannons. Such confrontations pose a clear incidental risk to bystanders.

Advice: Due to the ongoing threats from conflict and terrorism, all non-essential travel to a number of north eastern states in India, including Assam, is advised against. Clients currently in the region are advised to maintain a low profile, avoid all protests and other related gatherings, and anticipate for extensive disruptions to road travel across the state. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: A 6.7 magnitude earthquake has been reported approximately 138km south west of the town of Campbell River, British Colombia, in Canada. There have been no immediate reports of any damages and/or casualties and a tsunami warning has not been issued.

Analysis: Aftershocks are possible in the affected area in the short term.

Advice: Clients are advised to take the necessary precautions which may include evacuating all buildings and structures which may have experienced damage following the initial quake. Travellers are further advised to monitor local media and emergency broadcast channels for updates and advisories from the local authorities——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: A commercial passenger train has derailed near the village of Sara-e-Alamgir on 10 September injuring at least 25 people. The train was travelling between Lahore and Rawalpindi when the accident occurred. The cause of the accident is not known at this time.

Analysis: While train accidents are not frequent in Pakistan and the country's rail infrastructure is considered adequate, the recent incident is the second to affect the country in the past fortnight. On 30 August, two trains collided near Lahore killing five people. Disruptions along the Lahore to Rawalpindi rail line are possible in the immediate term as the authorities work to clear the route.

Advice: Please note that clients are advised against all travel to Pakistan due to a number of security threats. Persons in the country who intend to travel by rail between Lahore and Rawalpindi are advised to contact the local transport authorities or their travel provider prior to travel to ascertain the status of the service. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: Youth activists plan to hold a march through the centre of Port Louis on 10 September. The march, which is being held to protest against corruption, injustice and discrimination, will begin at 11:00 local time at the Centre Social Marie Reine de la Paix. From there the protesters will head north west along St Georges Street, then north east along J Kennedy Street before heading south east along Intendence Street towards the Place de la Cathedrale.

Analysis: The rally has been organised via social networking sites and is being led by students and youth activists. Protester organisers have stated that they plan to hold the gathering to raise awareness rather than to demand political or economic reform. While violence is not expected, there is a possibility of low-level confrontations between the police and protesters. Travel disruptions along the protest route and nearby roads is also possible during the course of the day.

Advice: Clients in Port Louis on 10 September are advised to exercise caution in the affected area and should avoid all street demonstrations as a precaution. Furthermore, clients in the city should plan for possible travel disruptions and delays. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: On 11 September, Chile will commemorate the 38th anniversary of the coup, which saw then-president, Salvador Allende ousted by military leader Augusto Pinochet.

Analysis: The anniversary of the coup is often accompanied by acts of violence, predominantly perpetrated by youth or anarchist groups. In 2010, as with a number of previous years, the occasion was marked by protests in Santiago and other major urban centres, during which demonstrators clashed with police, leading to a number of injuries and arrests.

Advice: Clients in or planning to travel to Chile on 11 September are advised to exercise heightened situational awareness and should limit travel during the evening and avoid all street demonstrations as a precaution. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: Clashes between Christians and Muslims in Ambon, the capital of Indonesia's Maluku province, left at least three people dead and 12 more wounded on 11 September. The violence was sparked after insults were exchanged between the two sides during a funeral procession for a recently killed Muslim motorcycle taxi driver. The violence initially began in the Mangga Dua area, but later spread to other parts of the city, including the Trikora monument, Mardika, Talake and Tantui areas. The authorities deployed additional policemen to the city following the outbreak of violence.

Analysis: Violence between Muslim and Christians is not unusual in Indonesia, including in the predominantly Christian city of Ambon. Between 1999 and 2002 Ambon experienced severe religious violence when approximately 9,000 people were killed. The recent killings are likely to exacerbate tensions between the two communities and further violence is possible.

Advice: Clients intending to travel to the affected area are advised to monitor developments closely. Furthermore, all persons in the city should exercise heightened situational awareness, particularly in the worst affected areas, until the situation calms. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: Security has been increased at all airports countrywide due to a heightened threat of terrorist attacks on 13 September. The threat was sent to news media via email following the 7 September bomb attack on the Delhi High Court complex in New Delhi, which killed 11 people. The email threatening Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji airport with attack was later shown to be a hoax; however, security forces have implemented extensive security precautions at all airports countrywide.

Analysis: The threat from terrorism in India is high and generally stems from Islamist extremists opposed to Hindu Nationalism and India's continued 'occupation' of Jammu and Kashmir. Among the groups representing the greatest threat are al-Qaeda-linked Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Indian Mujahideen (IM), and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). While it currently remains difficult to predict when and where a terrorist incident will occur, venues such as market places, train stations, mosques, temples, government and security force facilities, tourist areas, public transport services, aviation interests, Western businesses and hotels, diplomatic offices, religious events and crowded areas, are all considered probable terrorist targets.

Advice: Clients in India are advised to exercise heightened security awareness at all times, and should report all suspicious persons, packages and/or vehicles to the local authorities. Furthermore, localised travel disruptions should be anticipated due to the increase in security measures at airports, and clients are advised to plan accordingly. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: (Update) Flooding caused by heavy rains has resulted in widespread disruptions in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi. The flooding has reportedly shut down public transport services in the city and rendered many roads impassable. Numerous shops and markets have also closed.

Analysis: The flooding is the latest to impact Sindh province, and comes amid days of persistent monsoon rain which has killed more than 200 people and displaced hundreds of thousands in the south of the country since September. The flooding also comes a year after some of the worst flooding in the country's history, which killed approximately 2,000 people and displaced millions across several southern provinces. Further heavy rainfall conducive to flooding has been forecast in Karachi and elsewhere in Sindh province until at least 14 September.

Advice: Due to various security concerns, clients are advised against all travel to Pakistan. Clients currently in the affected region are advised to avoid low-lying, flood-prone areas, and should monitor local news for possible flood warnings and emergency broadcasts. Furthermore, clients should avoid travel to locales in close proximity to storm drains, rivers, drainage channels and saturated hillsides, as these will generally be at a greater risk of further flooding and landslides. Clients should also expect traffic disruptions throughout Karachi and are advised to plan accordingly. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: Public healthcare workers across Chile began a 48-hour strike against privatisation on 13 September. The strike was called by the National Confederation of Municipal Health Workers (CONFUSAM) in opposition to the provision of public healthcare services by private firms through contracts and concessions, as granted by the government. The strike, which started with a march from the Plaza de los Heroes de Santiago to the Health Ministry in the capital, Santiago, was joined by university students who have been protesting against the privatisation of education for several months.

Analysis: It is unlikely that the grievances of the protesters will be resolved in the short- to medium-term, and further strikes are highly likely. Chile has experienced several months of occasionally violent civil unrest as labour unions, student groups and some political parties, demand a number of social and political reforms. These include limiting the power of the president, providing free education, pension reform, and greater investment in the health sector.

Advice: Clients in or planning to travel to Chile are advised to monitor developments closely, and should avoid all street demonstrations as a precaution. While foreign nationals have not been targeted during the unrest, there is an incidental threat to persons in or near the vicinity of protest gatherings. Localised travel disruptions within the vicinity of protests should also be anticipated. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: Tropical Storm Roke is expected to affect Japan's Okinawa Prefecture within the next 24 hours. Other areas also likely to be affected include the Amami Islands, as well as the southern islands of the Kagoshima Prefecture. Heavy rainfall and storm surges along the coastal regions of the aforementioned islands, as well as along Japan's south western coast, are possible.

Analysis: Tropical storms occur regularly in Japan between the months of June and September. During this period, storm systems bring heavy rainfall, flooding and mudslides. Disruptions to air, maritime, road and rail transport, as well as to utilities, including water and electricity, should be expected.

Advice: Clients are advised to monitor local media for updates, and to follow the advisories of the local authorities. Further storms are also likely in the coming months. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: Student unions in Chile announced their intention to embark on a protest march in Santiago on 14 September. The march is set to begin at 10:30 local time and will commence at the Universidad de Santiago and continue to Parque de Almagro; the march is likely to end by 14:00.

Analysis: This is the latest in a series of countrywide demonstrations since April as part of an ongoing campaign against education privatisation and exclusive policies. The protests have turned violent on occasion, and clashes between demonstrators and security forces have been reported in Santiago and other urban centres. The latest march also coincides with the second day of a 48-hour countrywide strike by public healthcare workers, further increasing the likelihood of travel disruptions in Santiago and increasing the propensity for associated violence.

Advice: Clients in Santiago are advised to monitor developments closely, and should avoid the planned protest route as a precaution against violence. Localised travel disruptions within the vicinity of protest should also be anticipated. ——From Travel Alert.

Incident description: A 6.1 magnitude earthquake has been reported approximately 27km north of Attu Island, the westernmost point of Alaska's Aleutian archipelago. There have been no reports of damages or casualties and no tsunami warning has been issued.

Advice: Clients in the affected region are advised to brace for aftershocks. Furthermore, persons in the area should monitor local media and emergency broadcast channels for updates and advisories from the local authorities. ——From Travel Alert.