What are the issues affecting travelers to India? Read the latest travel warnings and alerts.
Photo © Getty Images/Neha Gupta
Cyclone Biparjoy - 15 June 2023
More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from parts of India and Pakistan ahead of the cyclone making landfall in Gujarat state, expected Thursday evening local time. The region is expected to suffer the loss of homes and crops as a result of the cyclone, and heavy rain has already claimed the lives of seven people. the cyclone is gusting at 93 mph (150 km) with wind speeds of 84 mph (135km). Trains in the region have been suspended.
Cyclone Fani - May 2019
Category 4 Cyclone Fani is currently making landfall on India's northeast coast. Local authorities have increased efforts to evacuate over one million people from the low-lying and coastal areas in the state of Odisha prior to the cyclone's arrival. The cyclone is currently generating sustained winds up to 112mph (180kph) and will bring heavy rain and flooding as it tracks eastward toward Bangladesh.
Kolkata Airport will be closed until Saturday 4 May at 6pm local time. Train services have been canceled or diverted.
Travelers should keep updated with local news reports, and government travel advisories and follow all official warnings. Carry identification with you at all times. Failure to comply with directives from government authorities may result in you not being covered by travel insurance.
Tensions with Pakistan - March 2019
UPDATE: Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority partially opened its airspace on Thursday 28 February to allow some commercial flights to operate. News reports have indicated that Pakistan will re-open its airspace on Friday 1st March, however, there may be a backlog with flights to/from Asia to Europe, US and Canada. Check with your airline before departure.
Due to increasing tensions, Pakistan has closed its airspace until further notice, which will disrupt many flights to/from Asia to Europe, US and Canada. The closure is in response to the Pakistani military shooting down two Indian fighter jets. Pakistan and India have had a long-held dispute over the region of Kashmir which has seen conflict and hundreds of people lose their lives, with the most recent incident involving a suicide bomb on February 14th which killed 40 military personnel.
Several air carriers such as Etihad, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Fly Dubai, Sri Lankan Airlines, Thai Airways and Air Canada had suspended flights to Pakistan and some Indian airports.
Some airlines flying out of Asian cities to Europe have had to re-route for fueling requirements via Dubai or Mumbai or canceled services completely.
Kerala flooding - August 2018
Over 350 people have been killed and 800,000+ people have been displaced due to flooding in the southern state of Kerala. Kerala, a popular spot for travelers due to its picturesque beaches, river cruising and tea plantation-covered hills - has experienced heavy rains, flash flooding and landslides since early August.
Authorities are working around the clock to rescue people and provide relief supplies. Many transport services and routes have been disrupted. Cochin International Airport continues to remain closed (until 26th August) with Kochi Naval airstrip opened up to commercial aircraft as of Monday 20th August.
Severe flooding in Mumbai - 29 August 2017
An unusually heavy monsoon rain that has been sweeping across South Asia deluged Mumbai this week, briefly shutting down local transport and causing flight delays. 152mm of rain -- nearly a month's worth -- fell on South Mumbai between Monday and Tuesday morning.
If you are traveling in the region, or one of the other areas of India that have been affected, you should follow all directions of police, emergency services and city officials. If it is practicable you should call the World Nomads emergency assistance service.
Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice – there may be no travel insurance cover for locations with a government travel ban or health advice against travel.
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