News and Updates

Khanun has strengthened into a typhoon as it continues to track west-northwestward in the South China Sea. The storm has intensified more than previously forecast, and models indicate that Khanun will eventually reach maximum sustained winds of up to 139 kph (86 mph) before making landfall in the southern Leizhou Peninsula, Guangdong Province, late on October 15 or early October 16. The storm will weaken as it interacts with land; however, it will remain a weak typhoon as it enters the Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin) the morning of October 16. Khanun will turn again and track southwestward toward central Vietnam. Meteorologists predict the system will make a second landfall in Vietnam's Quang Binh Province as a tropical storm on October 17.

Hurricane Ophelia weakened to a Category 1 storm in the Atlantic Ocean on October 15. The system is moving along a north-northeasterly track and is forecast to make landfall in County Cork, Ireland around early afternoon on October 16. Models indicate Ophelia will then transit over Northern Ireland, UK and weaken to near-tropical storm strength before moving over Scotland, UK on October 17.

As of October 12, the wildfires have killed at least 29 people, with the majority of the fatalities occurring in Sonoma County. The death toll is expected to rise in the coming days. Furthermore, at least 3,500 structures - including commercial and residential buildings - have been destroyed in the northern portion of the state. Approximately 25,000 residents have heeded evacuation orders, primarily in Sonoma and Napa counties. California Governor Jerry Brown requested, and was granted, a major disaster declaration; federal resources will supplement local and state agencies in firefighting efforts. 

At least 13 dead and thousands of homes have been destroyed due to wildfires in northern California since October 8. Expect ongoing disruptions.

Authorities plan to suspend foreign national travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region during the Communist Party National Congress between October 18 and 29. Travellers are advised to make alternative arrangements if necessary.

A revised travel ban for entry into the USA will be introduced 18 October 2017. The restrictions include citizens from additional countries. Certain citizens from Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen will be banned from entering the US. Iraq was removed from the original list of restricted countries and now Sudan also has been removed from the banned country list.

Mt Agung continues to rumble and threaten eruption. At this time around 35,000 locals have been evacuated from the area around the volcano and all tourist activities in the region have been suspended. Denpasar's Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) is on alert and prepared in the event of any disruptions.