Important Security Announcement for American Citizens in Nepal

This is what we just received from the US Embassy in Kathmandu:

The Embassy has received information that 5 bombs have gone off in the Kathmandu Valley with the past few hours. The locations of those bomb blasts are Kupondole, Maitighar, Bansheswor, Ratna Park and Tripeshewor. American citizens are urged to exercise extreme caution in these areas and to refer to news reports for further information. (We live outside of these areas, but can here the blasts. The bombs target election candidates and are basically scare tactics. A few people have been injured, but there have been no deaths.)

In the run-up to the Constituent Assembly elections scheduled for April 10, the Government of Nepal has taken certain steps which will affect the ability of American citizens to receive services and to move freely throughout the country. The Government of Nepal has declared a national holiday from April 7th to April 11th. Saturday, April 12th, is the typical weekly Nepali day off. As the Nepali New Year is on April 13th and another Hindu holiday falls on Monday, April 14th, all governmental offices are effectively closed for 8 days. In addition, the government will close Nepal's land borders for three days (April 8-10) and has imposed a transportation ban for all vehicular movement throughout the country starting the evening of April 9 through election day, April 10. Only vehicles with government issued passes will be allowed to travel on the roads. Domestic flights will also be grounded on April 10. The U.S. Embassy will be closed on April 10 and only essential personnel will be reporting for duty on that day. All other personnel have been instructed by the Regional Security Officer to remain in their homes on April 10. American citizens living and traveling in Nepal are strongly encouraged to stay off the streets during election day and to exercise extreme caution in the days before and after the election, as the potential for demonstrations and increased violence between competing political parties exists. American citizens are strongly urged to avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place.