Thailand: Several districts in the northern provinces of Nan and Tak have been declared disaster zones due to ongoing flooding, forcing minor evacuations and the closure of several schools and businesses; at least one casualty has been reported. Meteorological authorities have also issued flash flood warnings for several northern and eastern provinces, including Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Nakhon Nayok, Chanthaburi and Trat. The heavy rain in the affected provinces comes as a result of the south west monsoon season, which affects all parts of the country north and east of the capital, Bangkok, between May and November. Clients currently in northern and eastern Thailand are advised to exercise caution and avoid low-lying areas such as rivers, dams, and levees due to the risk of flooding and mountainous or hilly areas due to the risk of landslides. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from authorities. ——From Travel Alert.

Philippines: Several provinces in Luzon have been affected by ongoing flooding, and at least one casualty has been reported in Pangasinan province. Additionally, a state of calamity has been declared in Pampanga province. Roads have been inundated by floodwaters, and several bridges have been washed away, resulting in ongoing road travel delays. At least 20,000 people have been displaced by the flooding, although this number is expected to rise in coming days. May through November marks the monsoon season in Luzon, and the island, particularly its western parts, is often affected by floods as a result. This period also coincides with the country's annual tropical storm season; the current flooding has occurred largely as a result of the passing of Tropical Storm Meari in recent days, and has been exacerbated by heavy monsoon rains. Further heavy rains are likely in the coming weeks; clients in the Philippines are advised to exercise caution, anticipate localised travel delays if and when flooding occurs and monitor local media for updates and advisories from authorities. ——From Travel Alert.

Pakistan: Heavy monsoon rains resulted in flooding and building collapses in a number of areas of Punjab province on 29 June. In Lahore, building collapses in the Ferozewala and Nain Sukh areas left at least eight people dead while a further four people were killed when a structure collapsed in Sahiwal. In addition to Lahore, the cities of Sheikhupura, Gojrah and Faisalabad were also adversely affected by heavy rainfall and flooding and many parts of these cities and surrounding communities remain affected by floodwaters. The rainfall coincides with the beginning of Pakistan's annual monsoon season (July to September). Further heavy rainfall conducive to flooding is expected across many areas of the country in the coming months. Due to a number of security concerns, clients are advised against all travel to Pakistan. Persons in or planning to travel to Pakistan in the coming months are advised to monitor local media closely for weather warnings and advisories from the authorities. Furthermore, persons in the country are advised to exercise caution in low-lying areas, particularly near rivers. ——From Travel Alert.

India: Approximately 31 people have been killed and thousands of others displaced amid heavy rainfall and flooding in India's northern and eastern regions on 28 and 29 June. Fourteen casualties were reported in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand; a further 17 people died in the eastern state of West Bengal with an estimated 900,000 people adversely affected by ongoing rains. In other areas, heavy rainfall resulted in the flooding of low-lying areas in the city of Mumbai and a number of residences have been destroyed. The rainfall coincides with the beginning of India's annual monsoon season (July to September). Further heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding is expected across many areas of the country in the coming months. Due to a number of security concerns, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the rural and remote areas of West Bengal. Travellers currently in any of the aforementioned areas are advised to avoid low-lying, flood-prone areas and should monitor local news for possible flood warnings and emergency broadcasts. Travel to locales in close proximity to rivers, draining channels and saturated hillsides should be avoided as these areas will be at greatest risk of further flooding and landslides. ——From Travel Alert.

India: The Communist Party of India (CPI) (Maoist) has called for state-wide general strike (bandh) in Orissa state on 30 June. The strike action has been organised in protest to the government's acquisition of populated land in the Jagatsinghpur district which will be used by the South Korean Posco steel company for the development of a steel plant. The general strike carries a credible risk of clashes between protesters and the security forces. Previous protests and demonstrations related to the issue have degenerated into violence, with demonstrators utilizing rudimentary weapons such as sticks and rocks and security forces responding with robust crowd control tactics, including the use of tear gas and water cannons. Such confrontations pose an incidental risk to bystanders. As a precaution, travellers are strongly advised to adhere to all of the general strike conditions and should avoid all related protests, demonstrations and public gatherings due to the threat of violent civil unrest. Furthermore, due to the ongoing threat posed by Maoist insurgents, all non-essential travel to the rural areas of Orissa state is advised against. ——From Travel Alert.

Philippines: At least 25 people have been killed in the city of Davao, located in the Philippines's southern Mindanao region, after heavy rains causing widespread flooding during the night of 28/29 June. The rains have also caused the Matina Pangi River to breach its banks, reportedly displacing thousands of people. In addition, authorities were forced to close the Matina-Balusong Bridge due to concerns over its structural integrity. Adverse weather conditions are projected to continue in the coming days and further flooding is possible. Clients in the city are advised to avoid low-lying and vulnerable areas, particularly those along the swollen Matina Pangi River, and should monitor local media for updates and advisories from authorities. ——From Travel Alert.

Canada: The Trans-Canada Highway (also known as Highway 1) has been closed indefinitely in both directions between the city of Chilliwack and the district of Hope, in British Columbia, due to a mudslide on 29 June; in addition there are delays to rail services as the Canadian National Railway lines have been affected by the mudslide. Detours have been set in place, with the majority of traffic being directed onto Highway 9 or Lougheed Highway. Although injuries have been reported, there have been no reports of casualties as yet; several vehicles are suspected to be trapped. Emergency services are currently at the scene and are assessing the damage that has been caused. Persons in the affected area are advised to expect rail and road travel disruptions due to the mudslide and to make alternate travel arrangements where possible. In addition, local media should be monitored for updates and emergency broadcasts and travellers are advised to adhere to the advisories of the local authorities. In addition, due to the ongoing risk of mudslides, travellers are advised to exercise heightened caution, especially in mountainous areas. ——From Travel Alert.

China: China is set to commemorate the ninetieth anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party and the return of Hong Kong to Chinese rule on 1 July. The event is expected to be marked by numerous cultural events, rallies and marches throughout the country. The main celebrations are expected to take place in the capital, Beijing, with several key political leaders and top-ranking officials expected to attend commemorative events in the coming days. Heightened security should be anticipated throughout the capital, particularly in central Tiananmen Square and Changan Avenue, as well as in other major cities throughout China. Clients should note that anti-government protests will possibly coincide with commemorative events across the country, and have the potential to degenerate into violence as security forces are often heavy-handed in dealing with civil disturbances. Although authorities are likely to prevent any large protest gatherings, small sporadic rallies cannot be ruled out, and clients are advised to avoid all related gatherings as a precaution. Furthermore, celebrations and associated heightened security measures are likely to cause transport disruptions in urban centres and visitors are subsequently advised to anticipate travel delays and should plan accordingly. ——From Travel Alert.

Hong Kong: On 1 July, Hong Kong will observe the fourteenth anniversary of the territory's handover from British to Chinese administration. The anniversary has generally been marked by mass anti-China demonstrations by tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters. While these events have generally concluded without incident, there have been increasing concerns that anarchists and/or radical pro-democracy elements may seek to perpetrate acts of violence during these public gatherings. As such, clients in Hong Kong on 1 July are advised to maintain a low profile and should avoid all related protests and demonstrations. Furthermore, localised travel disruptions as a result of the gatherings should also be anticipated and visitors are advised to plan accordingly. ——From Travel Alert.

Thailand: The Democrat Party and Pheu Thai Party, Thailand's two biggest political parties, are set to hold major election rallies in the capital, Bangkok, on 1 July. These rallies are the last rallies to be held by each party before the 3 July parliamentary elections, with the Democrat Party holding a rally at the Royal Plaza in the Dusit district and the Pheu Thai Party holding a rally at the Rajamangala National Stadium in the Bang Kapi district. As these are the last rallies prior to the election, thousands of supporters are expected to arrive at each event; while no violence is anticipated at these events, security will be significantly tightened in the vicinity of both rallies. In addition, Thai police have announced an increase in security countrywide between 1 and 7 July to ensure that the polls pass peacefully. More roadblocks and security checkpoints will be set up, and an emphasis will be placed on ensuring security for candidates, canvassers and polling booths. Clients in Bangkok are advised to anticipate localised travel delays, particularly during the evening of 1 July, as a result of the rallies. Clients in Thailand are advised to anticipate increased security checks and possible travel disruptions as a result thereof between 1 and 7 July. Clients are further advised to avoid all election-related rallies, protests, political party offices and polling booths as a precaution, and to monitor local media for updates and advisories from authorities. ——From Travel Alert.

India: Unidentified militants detonated a grenade near a police patrol in the Kishtwar district of India's northern Jammu region on 30 June. The explosion wounded one police officer. Following the attack at approximately 13:30 local time police initiated a security force operation in the area to capture the assailant(s). In a separate incident police discovered and defused a 5kg improvised explosive device (IED) along the bank of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir Valley region near a hotel frequented by foreign visitors on 30 June. Further details regarding the discovery of the explosives are not immediately available. Both incidents highlight the elevated threat of terrorism in northern India stemming from separatist militants and Islamist extremists opposed to India's control of the predominantly Muslim Jammu and Kashmir state. Numerous low-level bombings and shootings targeting Indian government and security force interests are reported annually in the region. Larger attacks, including those targeting foreign interests, are also possible (as the Dal Lake incident attests too) but are less frequently reported. Due to high levels of conflict and terrorism, non-essential travel to the Jammu and Kashmir Valley regions in Indian-administered Kashmir is advised against. Clients in these areas are advised to exercise heightened security awareness in the vicinity of state facilities and personnel and in areas popular with foreigners including hotels and tourist sites. ——From Travel Alert.

Bangladesh: There is a heightened threat of widespread anti-government protest action in Bangladesh after parliament approved a controversial bill which will see the disbanding of the country's political tradition of appointing a caretaker government during election periods. The initial proposal of the bill received widespread condemnation from the country's political opposition, most notably the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who claim that the ruling Awami League (AL) will use the absence of a caretaker government to rig the country's next general elections, which are scheduled to take place in 2014. On 5 and 12 June, general strikes called by the BNP and its coalition parties descended into violent confrontations between rival political activists and security forces, with much of the violence centred on the capital, Dhaka, the south eastern city of Chittagong and the towns of Sirajganj, Begumganj, Narsingdi and Narayanganj. Politically motivated protests and demonstrations are a regular occurrence in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka and Chittagong. These can occur at short notice and frequently turn violent and/or severely disrupt travel in the affected areas. Due to various security concerns, all non-essential travel to Bangladesh is advised against. However, clients who are in the country at this time should avoid any politically-motivated protests or gatherings, due to the risk of violent civil unrest. Travel disruptions should also be anticipated if protests, in response to the new bill, do go ahead. ——From Travel Alert.

Australia: Australian carrier Qantas is anticipating possible disruptions to its flight schedules after a union representing the airline's maintenance engineers stated that its members will hold a series of rolling strikes in the coming days. The first of three two-hour long strikes will commence at Qantas' Melbourne workshops on 4 July, while similar walkouts are also scheduled to take place in Perth and Brisbane on 5 and 6 July, respectively. The strikes, which have been organised by the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association, have been called in protest over an ongoing wage dispute between Qantas and the airline company's engineers. In response, Qantas has claimed that it will take preventative actions to minimise disruptions. Despite these initiatives, passengers in Australia scheduled to fly with Qantas between 4 to 8 July are advised to contact their travel provider or the airline for updates on the status of their flight(s). ——From Travel Alert.

Bangladesh: The National Committee on Protection of Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources, Power and Ports has called for a half-day general strike (hartal) in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, on 3 July in protest over the government signing a production-sharing contract (PSC) with US energy conglomerate ConocoPhillips. The committee is claiming that the agreement is exploitive and that the revenue gained from the project, which will allow ConocoPhillips to excavate natural gas from the Bay of Bengal, will be heavily skewed in favour of the US-based company. The general strike is also expected to be accompanied by countrywide demonstrations and rallies which will be organised in several major cities. These events, which are organised as a form of protest against various social, political, and economic grievances, usually result in the suspension of business, recreational and transport services in the affected areas, often for extended periods of time. Due to various security concerns, all non-essential travel to Bangladesh, including Dhaka, is advised against. Travellers who will be in the city on 3 July are advised to adhere to the strike conditions and should avoid all related protests, gatherings and demonstrations due to the threat of civil unrest. ——From Travel Alert.

Bangladesh: At least eight people were killed, and two others wounded, on 1 July when heavy seasonal rains triggered a landslide in the Tigerpass area of Bangladesh's south eastern city of Chittagong. Prior to the landslide, city officials advised families residing in the low-income area to evacuate amid concerns that a concrete wall constructed to prevent landslides from affecting the hillside community would fail to do so. Authorities have since ordered the mandatory evacuation of all residents in the Tigerpass area. Bangladesh experiences an annual monsoon season between the months of June to September. During this time, heavy rains are known to trigger widespread flooding in low-lying and coastal areas, while communities situated along the slopes of saturated hillsides are at an elevated risk of being affected by landslides. Due to various security concerns, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Bangladesh, including Chittagong. Travellers currently in the city should remain aware of the risk of further landslides. In general, the occurrence of a landslide is usually indicated by a very audible rumbling sound, however, a sudden increase or decrease in water levels of a stream or creek may be indicative of a debris flow. Clients should be aware that a trickle of flowing mud down a saturated hillside may precede a larger flow.

Pakistan: Unidentified gunmen purportedly kidnapped two Swiss nationals near the Loralai district in Pakistan's southern Balochistan province on 1 July. The couple was travelling from the capital, Islamabad when they were abducted. No further details regarding the kidnapping are currently available. While the motive for the attack remains unknown, the incident does nonetheless highlight the ongoing elevated threat of kidnapping in Pakistan, including in Balochistan where criminal gangs, Islamist militants and Baloch separatists all operate and have the requisite motivation and operational capability to conduct both planned and opportunistic kidnappings. Due to a number of security concerns clients are advised against all travel to Pakistan. Persons in the country are advised to adopt maximum security measures at all times. Furthermore, clients should maintain a low public profile and consider travelling with a security escort, particularly outside of main urban centres. ——From Travel Alert.

Nepal: Authorities have issued warnings and placed emergency response officials on alert in response to concerns that the Saptakoshi River (known locally as Koshi) located in eastern Nepal may burst its banks imminently. Local authorities are attempting to reinforce the river in many areas; however, with further heavy rains forecast it is increasingly likely that the river will overflow flooding surrounding communities. In 2008, the river flooded displacing hundreds of thousands of people in eastern Nepal and the nearby Indian state of Bihar. The heavy rainfall currently being experienced in Nepal coincides with the annual monsoon season (June to September). Further heavy rainfall conducive to flooding and landslides should be expected in the immediate term. Clients in the country are advised to exercise caution in low lying areas, including near rivers, due to the threat of flooding and in mountainous areas where landslides pose a significant personal safety threat. ——From Travel Alert.

Australia: The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has suspended Tiger Airways Australia's domestic flights in Australia from 2 to 9 July, due to safety concerns. CASA investigated the safety standards of the airline in March, regarding its maintenance procedures and pilot training and subsequently imposed conditions on the airline's operator's certificate as a means to improve the safety standard. Since then, the airline has twice flown below the minimum safe altitude level, raising safety concerns. Clients who have booked or who are intending to book domestic tickets with Tiger Airways Australia are advised to contact the airline directly or their travel provider for further information on the status of their flight(s). ——From Travel Alert.

Thailand: The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a warning for flash floods and heavy rains in various provinces across Thailand. The affected areas include the provinces of Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Tak, Kampaengpetch, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. The warning also extended to very rough sea conditions in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue throughout the next 48 to 72 hours. Clients in the affected regions should exercise heightened caution in low-lying areas such as rivers, lakes, dams and levees due to the risk of flooding, and in mountainous areas, due to the risk of landslides. Clients are further advised to monitor local weather developments, adhere to the advisories of local authorities and anticipate possible travel disruptions in the affected areas. ——From Travel Alert.

United States: The United States celebrates Independence Day on 4 July. Security is expected to be significantly heightened across the country, as well as in US diplomatic missions abroad, due to the potential for reprisal terrorist attacks following the recent death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Information reportedly obtained during the raid on bin Laden's compound in Pakistan indicated the leader had urged his followers to conduct attacks on symbolic dates. Clients in the United States are advised to exercise heightened situational awareness and report any suspicious people, packages or activities to the authorities. Furthermore, the heightened security measures may lead to localised travel disruptions. In addition, disruptions may be expected as a result of scheduled street parties, markets, fairs, carnivals and parades which are scheduled to take place across the country on the day, including in major cities such as New York and Washington, DC. Clients are advised to plan accordingly and to expect delays.——From Travel Alert.

Philippines: At least two people have been killed and another 15 are missing following a landslide in Valencia City, in Bukidnon province, on 4 July. The landslide was caused by heavy rains in parts of the Mindanao region, in which Bukidnon is located, beginning on 3 July. Although Mindanao experiences variable rainfall throughout the year, large parts of the region are subject to heavy rainfall between May and October, due to the summer monsoon season. Accordingly, further heavy rain, landslides and flash floods should be anticipated in the coming weeks, and may result in localised travel delays and disruptions to essential services such as electricity and telecommunications. Due to a number of ongoing security concerns, including conflict, terrorism and kidnapping, all travel to the Mindanao region, including the Sulu archipelago, is advised against. Clients currently in the region are advised to maintain a low profile and implement robust security protocols. In addition, clients should anticipate localised travel delays as a result of flash flooding and are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from authorities. ——From Travel Alert.

China: A series of landslides has left an estimated 7,000 motorists stranded in the Wenchuan County of China's south western Sichuan province on 4 July. The landslides, which have been triggered by heavy seasonal rains, have rendered sections of Highway 213 and Highway 303 impassable, while a section of Highway 213 has reportedly been destroyed in the Yinxin township. While emergency response personnel and traffic authorities have since been deployed in the affected areas, there have been no indications as to when the traffic situation is expected to normalise. In recent weeks, a combination of flooding and landslides has killed an estimated 270 people and affected over 1.6 million others in southern China, with the provinces of Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Guangdong, Sichuan and Yunnan, as well as the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, among the areas worst affected. As the country's southern regions generally experience the annual rainy season from May to September, further heavy rainfall conducive to flooding is possible in the aforementioned provinces in the coming days and weeks. Clients currently in the affected areas are advised to avoid low-lying, flood-prone areas and should monitor local news for possible flood warnings and emergency broadcasts. Furthermore, clients are advised to liaise with local traffic authorities to confirm the status of major highways before undertaking long-distance road travel in the affected areas. ——From Travel Alert.

Indonesia: Hundreds of police have been deployed to the Grasberg mine and nearby mining town of Timika, both located in Papua province, in response to a strike by 7,000 miners. The miners began a week-long strike on 4 July over poor conditions and pay at the Freeport-McMoRan-owned mine, the largest of its kind in Indonesia. While no violence has been reported as yet, a number of violent incidents related to mining activities have been reported in recent years at the mine, which is deeply unpopular with locals. Residents claim that mining activities divert resources away from the local community, as well as lead to severe environmental degradation and poisoning of local water sources. There are also concerns that militants from the separatist Free Papua Movement may use the protests as a diversion to launch small scale attacks on the mine and mine employees. In July 2009, a string of attacks by unknown gunmen, possibly linked to the Free Papua Movement, were reported, which killed a number of locals and at least one foreign national. In addition, in April 2011, two mine employees were killed after the vehicle in which they were travelling was fired upon by unknown assailants. Due to the ongoing threat posed by militants, and protests that frequently result in violence, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Papua and West Papua province. Clients in the region are advised to avoid all protest gatherings due to the threat of violent civil unrest and to monitor local media for updates and advisories from authorities. ——From Travel Alert.

India: Two people have died and thousands have been displaced amid flooding in the northern state of Bihar. More than 100 villages have been flooded with the worst affected areas extending to the districts of Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Purnia, Araria, Saharsa, Madhepura and Bagaha. The Bihar Water Resources Department issued a further warning that rising waters in the Gandak and Kosi rivers are posing a major flooding risk. Rising water levels of these rivers came as heavy rains affected large parts of neighbouring Nepal in recent weeks. Due to a number of security concerns, clients are advised against non-essential travel to the state of Bihar; however, clients currently in any of the aforementioned areas are advised to avoid low-lying and flood-prone areas, and should monitor local news for possible flood warnings and emergency broadcasts. Travel to locales in close proximity to rivers, draining channels and saturated hillsides should be avoided as these areas will be at greatest risk of further flooding and landslides. ——From Travel Alert.

Canada: At least 16 people have died since a Clostridium difficile bacterial outbreak was first reported in the Niagara region of Canada's Ontario province on 23 June. Clostridium difficile is an antibiotic-resistant gram-positive bacterium that causes severe diarrhoea and other intestinal diseases; the spores remain viable outside the body for extended periods of time, making patient-to-patient transfers possible, particularly in hospitals and other medical facilities. The initial symptoms are flu-like, with high temperatures and continuous diarrhoea. Travellers in Ontario experiencing these symptoms are advised to seek immediate medical attention. ——From Travel Alert.