Stay safe: Dos & Don’ts during and after Cyclone Fani

Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Fani that hit the coastal areas of Odisha on Friday morning is causing much havoc in the coastal state. If you happen to be a resident or your location falls in the course of the cyclone, here are a few safety tips that you can take up for protection during and after the natural calamity.

The list is courtesy of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):

Before the cyclone

· Remain calm and ignore rumours

· Keep your mobile phones charged

· Use SMS

· Stay tuned to the news for weather updates

· Store documents and other valuables in waterproof containers

· Prepare an emergency kit

· Carry out repairs at home

· Don’t leave sharp objects loose

· Untie cattle or other animals

During/after the cyclone (if indoors)

· Switch off electrical mains, gas supply

· Keep doors and windows shut

· If your house is unsafe, leave early before the onset of the cyclone

· Listen to a radio/transistor

· Drink boiled/chlorinated water

· Rely only on official warnings

During/after the cyclone (if outdoors)

· Don’t enter damaged buildings

· Watch out for broken electric poles, wires, other sharp objects

· Seek a safe shelter ASAP

For fishermen

· Keep a radio set with extra batteries handy

· Keep boats/rafts tied in a safe place

· Don’t venture out to sea

Apart from these, you should also look for helpline numbers provided by the state authorities in the official website of NDMA, NDRF and state police for rescue assistance in case of emergency.

The cyclonic storm that made its landfall in Odisha on Friday morning has already claimed the lives of two persons in the coastal state. So, stay safe.