The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nepal and recommends that they exercise caution there following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25. The Department of State terminated the authorized departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and dependents on July 2, 2015. This replaces the Travel Warning dated May 1, 2015.
While their frequency and severity have diminished, the possibility of earthquakes or aftershocks continues. The overall effect of the initial earthquake and its aftershocks varied greatly across the country. Areas close to the epicenters suffered significant damage, while other areas in the country were nearly unaffected.
In Kathmandu, conditions are returning to normal. Cleanup efforts have cleared most of the rubble from collapsed structures and walls, and demolition efforts continue to address unstable buildings. In the worst-affected areas outside of Kathmandu, damage is more widespread and severe. Recovery efforts in these areas are ongoing, and access to basic resources, such as food, water, fuel and communications, could be limited.
The April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks destabilized steep, mountainous areas, and severe landslides have occurred in some affected areas. With the arrival of monsoon rains, which usually begin in June and last until September, there may be a higher occurrence of landslides than in years past.
We encourage travelers to consult carefully with their travel and trekking agencies for current, location-specific information.
For more information:
- See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Specific Information for Nepal.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Nepal, located in the Maharajgunj neighborhood of Kathmandu. U.S. citizens in Nepal who need assistance can contact the U.S. Embassy by e-mail at ConsKTM@state.gov or by phone at +977 1 423 4500. U.S. citizens in Nepal and their family and friends elsewhere should stay up to date on consular information by periodically checking Travel Information and Messages for U.S. citizens in Nepal.
- Emergency calls may also be placed through the Department of State at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries.
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
