The United States has advised its citizens to reconsider their travel plans to Nepal due to the ongoing protest in Tarai region and shortage of fuel and other essentials due to “blockages at the border with India”.

The US Department of State on Thursday issued a notification on its website stating: “Sporadic demonstrations and civil unrest in the Tarai region of Nepal may affect tourist travel to the southern region.” It further said that the shortage could disrupt public transportation around Nepal and warned that provision of normal goods and services including food may be affected.

The notice replaces the last travel warning the US had issued on July 2, cautioning against unstable buildings and landslips as a result of the April 25 earthquake. The new warning retains the threat posed by earthquakes, but has added fuel shortage and violent demonstrations as further causes for concern.

“As of today these services are still operational, but service providers are facing dwindling supplies,” the US Department of State writes. “If you are planning multi-day travel the situation could change drastically during your trip.”

Some analysts read this as the US Embassy in Kathmandu acknowledging that the shortage was due to the blockade by India.

Following the promulgation of the constitution in Nepal by the sovereign Constituent Assembly, India imposed a border blockade against Nepal. The blockade has entered 18th day on Friday, but the Indian government has so far refused to acknowledge it.

The Indian establishment has been blaming the ongoing demonstrations in the

Tarai for its failure to clear customs for fuel and other imports.