Heavy rains have once again devastated parts of Spain with flooding prompting travel advisories from the Canadian government.
Spain’s Valencia region got a year’s worth of rain on Oct. 29 killing more than 200 people. The area is once again dealing with heavy rains.
Other countries are also dealing with storms and their aftermath.
These natural events can severely impact residents and travel advisories suggest people avoid certain regions.
The federal government maintains a Travel Advice and Advisories page to help travellers make informed decisions and travel safely outside Canada.
They analyze trends and incidents affecting international travellers, monitor world events and collect updated reports from different sources.
Here are some countries with updated travel advisories:
Risks: Threat of terrorism and flooding aftermath.
Reasons: On Nov. 13, heavy rains caused flooding and landslides in Spain. More rain is expected in the coming days, the advisory states. The most severely affected areas are Valencia, including Valencia City, Andalusia, including Malaga and Marbella, and Catalonia.
There are disruptions to essential services and transportation networks.
The country is still recovering from the Oct. 29 storm, which killed at least 222 people, mostly in the Valencia region, and wrecked infrastructure and buildings.
Risks: Crime and tropical storm aftermath.
Reasons: Although the overall situation has slightly improved since 2022, violent crime remains a concern throughout Honduras. The country retains one of the highest homicide rates in the world.
Tropical Depression 19 is expected to sweep across the Atlantic coast on Nov. 16. The storm is likely to bring excessive rainfall and violent winds. It may cause flash flooding and landslides and could severely disrupt essential services including transportation, power and water and food supply.
Canada suggests avoiding non-essential to Atlantic coast, from Punta Castilla to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border, including the Bay Islands.
Risks: Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and typhoon.
Reasons: Canada is advising travellers avoid non-essential travel to the northeastern tip of Luzon and the Babuyan Islands due to Typhoon Usagi (Ofel). People should also avoid non-essential travel to Catanduanes Island, islands in northern Camarines and Quezon provinces, and Central Lauzon Region due to Typhoon Man-Yi.
Typhoon Usagi (Ofel) is expected to make landfall on the northeastern tip of Luzon, in Santa Ana in Cagayan province, on Nov. 14. The storm is likely to bring excessive rainfall and violent winds. It may cause flash flooding and landslides and could severely disrupt essential services.
Typhoon Man-Yi is expected to sweep across Catanduanes Island and islands in northern Camarines and Quezon provinces on Nov. 16 before making landfall in Central Luzon Region. This storm is also likely to bring excessive rainfall and violent winds. It may cause flash flooding and landslides and could severely disrupt essential services.
Risks: Crime and heavy rainfall.
Reasons: Heavy rains are forecasted to continue throughout the week of Nov. 10. Parks and reserves throughout the country may close on short notice.
There are reports of significant damage to infrastructure, including roads and rail networks, as well as disruptions to electricity and telecommunications. The Alajuelita, Desamparados Sur, Escazu and Santa Ana regions may experience water service disruptions or rationing until further notice.
Excessive rainfall has caused severe flooding and landslides in Guanacaste province.
Risks: Threat of terrorism, high crime rate and Mpox.
Reasons: There is currently an outbreak of Mpox (formerly monkeypox) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The outbreak is larger than expected, and new areas are reporting cases. Countries that border the DRC are considered at risk for further spread. The Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda have also reported person-to-person transmission of clade I mpox.
Mpox is a viral infectious disease caused by monkeypox virus. There are two distinct subtypes of monkeypox virus (called clades): clade I and clade II. Mpox is a viral infection with a rash that may be painful. Most people recover on their own after a few weeks. However, in some situations, people may become very sick and death may occur.
For a complete list of advisories and further information, see the website here.
Lead photo of Coxen Hole, Bay Islands Department, Honduras: Greta’s Vlogs
