Demonstration Notice to US Citizens in Nepal - January 25, 2012

January 25, 2012

Various Nepali student groups have called for a bandh (strike) from 06:00 am to 17:00 pm throughout the Kathmandu Valley on January 25, 2012 to protest the recent increase in fuel prices.  In the past, similar strikes, or “bandhs,” as they are referred to locally, have been successful in completely shutting down vehicular movement and businesses.

We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu is located at Maharajgunj.  The telephone number is 977-1-4007200 or 4007201.  The number for after-hours emergencies is 977-1-4007266 or 4007269.  The Consulate’s e-mail address is consktm@state.gov and its internet web page is http://nepal.usembassy.gov/. 

For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad".  U.S. citizens living or traveling in Nepal are encouraged to enroll with the U.S. Embassy through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  Travel enrollment allows the Department of State to contact its citizens in the event of an emergency and to provide up-to-date safety and security information.  Enrollees wishing to receive such information must provide an e-mail address with their enrollment. All enrollees are urged to provide complete contact information and a departure date when signing up on-line.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and Country Specific Information can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. You can also download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Please monitor the local media for updates. English language local news is available on the following channels at the following times:

Nepal Television  8:00 am, 12:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 10:30 pm, 1:00 am

Kantipur Television 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 6:00 pm, 10:30 pm

News 24   10:00 am, 10:00 pm