Checklist to shield against Cyclone Remal: Dos and don’ts to stay safe

The city has to brace itself for heavy rain and howling winds from Sunday afternoon.

The twin assaults have the potential to damage infrastructure and injure people if proper protection is not taken.

Metro spoke to disaster management professionals, emergency service providers, police, state officials and engineers to find out possible safety measures that individuals and communities should adopt.

Home/apartment

• Do not keep flower pots on parapets or window ledges. They may turn into missiles during the storm and hit people. Put all the pots on the floor.
• Remove sharp objects from the terrace or balcony.
• Switch off electrical mains. Equipment like fridge, airconditioner, Internet modem and TV might get damaged by lightning.
• Switch off the gas supply. Sparks of lightning strikes can trigger a fire if gas supply is on.
• Switch off power supply to the elevator and park it on one of the upper floors during the cyclone and the accompanying rain.
• Keep doors and windows shut. Lock them.
• Use packing material (erasers or cardboard box pieces, for example) to jam doors and windows, especially ones where locks have become loose.
• Place erasers or rubber pieces to jam the rails of sliding windows and doors. This will prevent the sliding doors/windows from moving back and forth during strong winds. If the doors and windows open during the storm, the wind and rain will ransack the room.
• Fill the overhead water tank. In case power supply is cut off during and after the cyclone, use water judiciously.
• Stock fuel to run the generator set in case of a long power cut.
• If you live in a dipalidated building, shift to a shelter opened by the authorities near your home. Call the authorities if you want to shift.

Outdoors

• Avoid going outdoors during the storm or while it rains.
• Do not take shelter under a dilapidated building, a tree or an electric pole. They may topple during the storm. During lightning, they may turn into conductors of electricity.
• Take shelter inside a safe pucca structure.
• Do not touch any loose wire. They may be live wires.
• If you are driving, avoid waterlogged roads, especially ones with dangling wires.
• Avoid walking through waterlogged roads.

Gadgets, cars and pets

• Try to park your car in an area with a concrete overhead shade. Avoid keeping your car on the road.
• Pull the handbrake of the car and keep it on gear, whether indoors or outdoors. Strong winds can move the car and cause damage.
• Avoid parking your car in the basement because heavy rain can flood the basement.
• Charge your laptop and phone fully before the cyclone.
• Keep pets in a safe place indoors. Untie cattle for their safety.
• Emergency documents should be inside waterproof packets.
• Keep your stock of medicines, food and water ready so you do not have to go out during or immediately after the cyclone.