Highrises and residential complexes made their last-minute preparations on Tuesday to secure their residents and premises from the possible impact of Cyclone Yaas.

Stocking up on fuel, distributing torches, shifting cars to basements, ensuring all water tanks are full to their capacity and circulating advisories to the residents were some of the tasks that kept the residential welfare associations (RWAs) busy on Tuesday. The Telegraph takes a look:

Fuel: All the housing societies The Telegraph spoke to have stored fuel to last for at least the next 48-hours fearing disruption in the power supply during the storm. Several gated communities on the city’s fringe had been without power for days last year after Amphan. Many complexes have taken extra precautions keeping in mind Covid patients who are in home isolation using oxygen concentrators.

Lifts and LPG: Many complexes have announced that, depending on the weather, their elevator services may be turned off on Wednesday to prevent chances of accidents. The elevators will be parked on the top floor of the respective blocks, many RWAs have told residents. “We would like to intimate you that all the passenger lifts shall be closed during the time of storm based on the timing we receive from the concerned authorities. However, the service lift will be operational for any kind of emergency,” said an advisory issued by Urbana officials. The association has also said that gas supply will be disrupted on Wednesday, depending on the weather.

Shifting vehicles: Housing complexes like South City Residency, which have a large number of open parking lots, have requested residents to shift the vehicles parked in the open to the basements till the storm is over. “The met department says that the cyclone will not cross Calcutta this time. But still, no one is taking chances. A majority of the cars parked in the open have been shifted in the basement,” said a resident of South City.

A resident of Greenfield Heights in New Town said all cars had been parked with the handbrakes in place and slotted into a gear so that the wheels are locked.

Advisories and torches to residents: All housing societies issued advisories to residents asking them to remove all loose items like flower pots, bicycles, small furniture or anything that could fly and act as a projectile from the common areas. Residents have been advised to keep the doors and windows shut during the storm and get cracked window panes repaired to ensure they do not cause injury. Torches were handed out to residents of several housing societies in case there is a delay in operating the generator set during a power cut.

Emergency teams: Several housing complexes, including South City Residency, Urbana and Rosedale Garden in New Town, have formed emergency response teams. In Rosedale Garden, several residents have come forward as first responders in case of exigency during the storm. In South City and Urbana, emergency teams comprise residents and staff attached with the electrical, plumbing and house-keeping services. In some housing complexes, trees and plants have been tied with bamboo scaffoldings to reduce chances of damage during the storm.