Embassy Dili Warden Message #11
March 30, 2009

The U.S. Embassy has been advised that Australia's Bureau of Meteorology is tracking a tropical low situated to the east of Timor-Leste in the Arafura Sea.  The Bureau forecasts the low will intensify gradually and move slowly west towards Timor-Leste over the next 18 hours.  As of 9:30 a.m. on March 30, the Bureau projected it would pass across Lautem district on March 31, and then skirt the southern coastline of Wetar Island (Indonesia) and pass to the north of Atauro Island on April 1.  However, the path of the low is uncertain and may change as it approaches Timor-Leste.

The low is expected to generate heavy rainfall and strong winds, particularly on Timor-Leste's southern coastline and mountainous interior.  Wind squalls and large waves are expected on Timor-Leste's southern coastline.

The Bureau is uploading regular updates on the tropical low to its website: http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/cyclone/.  We encourage you to, wherever possible, access this information regularly in the coming days and monitor local news outlets for updated advice from Timor-Leste's National Disaster Management Directorate.   As the low approaches, you should take precautions against likely inclement weather - including by ensuring you have access to adequate shelter.

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U.S. Embassy in Dili

Pantai Kelapa

Dili, Timor-Leste

Tel: 670 332-4684 Fax: 670 331-3206

Email: ConsDili@state.gov

24 hour emergency number: (670) 723-1328

Americans in Timor-Leste should immediately register at the Embassy and obtain all recent messages sent to the American community in Timor-Leste. U.S. citizens living in or traveling to Timor-Leste can also register through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. 

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Travelers should also consult the Department of State's latest Consular information Sheet for Timor-Leste. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, 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).

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