News Watch

January 2010 issue | Appears on page 17

Floods in southern India

Torrential rainfalls from Sept. 30 to Oct. 9 led to the worst floods in 100 years in the Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka regions of India, killing at least 300 people, leaving over 675,000 homeless, sending as many as two million to shelters and ruining crops over a vast area. 

 While some parts of India are suffering drought, in other areas the monsoons are producing more rain in fewer days, leading to overflowing rivers.

January 2010 issue | Appears on page 17

Floods in El Salvador

Heavy rains in El Salvador caused floods and mudslides on Nov. 7-8 that killed over 150 people, left thousands homeless, washed away roads, damaged or destroyed 24 bridges and knocked out power. Departments most affected were San Salvador, San Vicente, La Libertad, La Paz and Cuscatlán.

January 2010 issue | Appears on page 17

Jeddah flash floods

In the Red Sea port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, flash floods caused by unusually heavy rains killed over 100 people on Nov. 25. Most of the victims died in vehicles as cars, bridges and roads were swept away by what witnesses called a “wall of water.”

January 2010 issue | Appears on page 18

Kidnapping in Mali

In November, a French national was kidnapped from his hotel in Menaka in northeastern Mali.

The United Kingdom and the French foreign ministry have urged “extra vigilance” when traveling outside of the capital, Bamako. The US Department of State recommends against all travel in the north, including the areas of Timbuktu, Essakane, Kidal and Gao.

A North African branch of Al-Qaeda is blamed for four kidnappings, two murders of hostages and two attacks on embassies in 2009.

January 2010 issue | Appears on page 18

Avoid Niger

The Department of State recommends against all travel to Niger at this time. On Nov. 14, heavily armed individuals attempted to kidnap US embassy employees in Tahoua. 

In addition, a State of Alert is in effect for the region of Agadez, including the cities of Agadez, Arlit and Iferouane. Government of Niger permission is required for travel in the area, and anyone may be held for questioning, without cause. 

Armed groups operate throughout the northern and western Niger border...

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January 2010 issue | Appears on page 18

Violence up in Chad

The Department of State recommends avoiding all travel to eastern Chad and the Chad/Central African Republic border area due to recently increased levels of violent crime (including robbery and carjacking at gunpoint, kidnapping and murder); the continuing risk of clashes between Chadian government and rebel forces, and political tension between Chad and Sudan.

If rebels approach the capital, N’djamena, the US Embassy may decide to evacuate nonemergency personnel as was done in June...

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January 2010 issue | Appears on page 18

Algeria threats

The State Department warns of the risks of travel to Algeria. Terrorist attacks, including bombings, false roadblocks, kidnappings, ambushes and assassinations, occur regularly, particularly in the Kabylie region of the country.

The group that claimed credit for the Dec. 11, 2007, suicide car-bomb attacks in Algiers has pledged more attacks against foreign targets. Avoid overland travel and stay only in hotels where adequate security is provided. 

January 2010 issue | Appears on page 18

Colombia dangers

In recent years, security in Colombia has improved significantly, but in recent months there has been an increase in violent crime in many of the major cities, the Department of State reports. The incidence of kidnapping in Colombia has diminished significantly from its peak at the beginning of this decade; nevertheless, terrorist groups and criminal organizations continue to hold civilians for ransom or as political bargaining chips.

Common crime remains a significant problem...

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