The Impact of the Mumbai Terrorist Attacks

Inside the damaged Taj Palace Hotel, Mumbai.
Julian Herbert/Getty Images.

A day on from the end of the terrorist siege in Mumbai and there's been quite a bit of time to survey the damage. Apart from the extremely sad loss of lives, the interiors of the historic Taj Palace Hotel and its extensive collection of artwork and artifacts have been severely damaged by fire and grenades.

According to estimates some parts of the Taj Palace Hotel will need to be closed for a year and 500 crore rupees ($100 million) spent to restore the hotel to its former glory. The damage at the Oberio hotel is also expected to take months to repair.

Five star hotels across Mumbai have adopted maximum security measures. Tough entry restrictions mean that unless you're actually staying at these hotels you won't be allowed inside to meet people, dine at hotel restaurants, use hotel bathrooms, or even walk into reception to make a reservation. The restrictions are likely to remain in place for the next few months at least.

The US Department of State, Bureau and Consulate Affairs has also warned US citizens traveling to India to exercise caution and take prudent security measures. In addition, travel to Mumbai should be deferred for at least 48-72 hours.