State Dept. Travel Warnings and Public Announcements

For the full announcements or further detail on Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, please see http://http://travel.state.gov/travel

Brazil - On January 6 the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro issued the following Warden Message: "This Warden Message is to alert American Citizens to avoid travel at this time to or near Angra dos Reis, located approximately 150 km southwest of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Local authorities report continued extensive congestion on the Rodovia Rio Santos and a strain on local municipal services following mudslides that occurred over the New Year holiday. "Travelers are cautioned to monitor news and weather reports and adhere to municipal advisories before traveling to areas prone to flooding or landslides. These usually occur outside major tourist areas, but, as the recent tragedies in Rio state show, can happen anywhere."

India - On December 29 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Alert: "The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to continuing security concerns in India. The U.S. Government continues to receive information that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in India. Terrorists and their sympathizers have demonstrated their willingness and capability to attack targets where Americans or Westerners are known to congregate or visit. In addition, there continues to be a possibility of violence in the south-central Indian state of Andhra Pradesh over the contentious issue of creating a separate state within Andhra Pradesh. This Alert replaces the Travel Alerts dated October 29 and December 9, 2009, and expires on January 31, 2010.

"The November 2008 attacks in Mumbai provided a vivid reminder that hotels and other public places are especially attractive targets for terrorist groups. U.S. citizens are urged always to practice good security, maintain a heightened situational awareness and a low profile. Americans are advised to monitor local news reports and consider the level of security present when visiting public places, including religious sites, or choosing hotels, restaurants, entertainment and recreation venues.

"There is also the possibility of violence in the south-central Indian state of Andhra Pradesh as civil unrest continues over the contentious issue of statehood for the Telangana region. The Department recommends that U.S. citizens defer all non-essential travel to Telangana and certain parts of Hyderabad (especially the Assembly and Secretariat, Osmania University, Panjagutta, and Ameerpet areas). The Telangana Region includes the districts of Rangareddi, Warangal, Medak, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Adilabad, Khammam, Nalgonda, and Mahbubnagar. There has also been sporadic unrest in the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, most notably in the cities of Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Ongole, Kurnool, and Chittoor.

"Andhra Pradesh continues to experience episodic civil unrest as pro- and anti-statehood political groups rally supporters to their respective causes. A number of strikes have shut down schools and businesses, making it at times difficult to obtain essentials such as gasoline. Protesters have targeted public transportation, attacking trains and burning numerous buses. Public transportation networks have been forced to shut down several times. There have been repeated clashes between police and protesters, damage to private property, and a number of deaths and injuries associated with the disturbances. Government security forces have been augmented in many parts of the state, especially in Hyderabad and in the Telangana region.

"U.S. citizens resident or traveling in Andhra Pradesh during this period are reminded to maintain a high level of security awareness at all times and avoid political rallies, demonstrations, and large crowds of any kind. U.S. citizens should monitor the situation via media sources, including TV and radio and via the Internet. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. For additional information, please refer to 'A Safe Trip Abroad.'"

Lesser Antilles - On January 4 the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, issued the following Warden Message: "This warden message is being issued to remind U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Montserrat that due to an increase in activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano the country's National Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee (NDPRAC) raised the alert level to category four on December 11, 2009. According to scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), cycles of increased activity associated with vigorous ash-venting and pyroclastic flows are occurring every 6 to 8 hours. The intensity of cycles has varied considerably, with at least one particularly strong episode occurring on most days the week of December 24-31, 2009. MVO reports audible rock falls, roaring and occasional thunder associated with the most intense events. The government has issued orders to evacuate certain areas including Zone B during night time hours. The head of the Montserrat Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) has informed that the Government of Montserrat is providing limited emergency shelters in Gerald's, which can hold up to 171 individuals at a time. The government is assessing the need for providing permanent, long term shelters.

"The U.S. Government remains concerned about the health and safety of all U.S. citizens visiting and/or residing in Montserrat. U.S. citizens in Montserrat are encouraged to monitor media reports, maintain a high level of vigilance, and obey all instructions issued by the legally constituted authorities in Montserrat regarding evacuation procedures and other safety measures. Additional information on evacuation procedures is available from Montserrat's Disaster Management Coordination Agency. For the latest information on Soufriere Hills Volcano activity visit the Montserrat Volcano Observatory's website http://www.montserratvolcanoobservatory.info/"

Yemen - - On December 31 the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa issued the following Warden Message: "The U.S. Embassy in Yemen encourages U.S. citizens to follow good security practices and maintain situational awareness. Following the attempted attack aboard Northwest Airlines flight 253, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) publicly claimed responsibility for the incident and stated that it was in response to American interference in Yemen. In the same statement, the group made threats against Westerners working in embassies and elsewhere, characterizing them as 'unbelievers' and 'crusaders.' The U.S. Embassy would like to take this opportunity to remind Americans of the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against American citizens and interests throughout the world and urge U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance.

"The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens to exercise prudence and enhanced security awareness. It is always advisable to keep your security and situational awareness levels high. "Please follow these good security practices: "Do not be time and place predictable. Vary your routes and times to and from work. Do not frequent the same shops with regularity; "Know where you are going and have a plan of what to do in the event you encounter demonstrations or violence; "Identify safe areas (for example police stations or hospitals) in your area and how to get to them quickly;

"Avoid crowds or large gatherings when traveling in public; "Tell co-workers or neighbors where you're going and when you intend to return; "Minimize your profile while in public; "Always carry a cell phone and make sure you have emergency numbers pre-programmed into your phone such as the U.S. Embassy in Yemen [967] 1 755 2000."