Cyclone Safety Guide

Tropical cyclone preparedness for the Indian Ocean and Pacific regions, including shelter and coastal evacuation guidance.

Compiled from official emergency-management guidance (FEMA/Ready.gov, IFRC, WHO, national agencies) · Reviewed by the WND Editorial Team · Last reviewed:

Key action: Move to designated cyclone shelters or strong concrete buildings when authorities issue evacuation advice — especially from low-lying coastal and delta areas where storm surge strikes first.

Before the event

  • Learn your area's cyclone warning signals/stages (each national met agency defines them) and your nearest cyclone shelter.
  • In delta and low-lying coastal areas, plan to move inland/upward early — roads flood before landfall.
  • Strengthen the roof; store loose corrugated sheets, tools and boats securely.
  • Stock dry food, drinking water, oral rehydration salts, torch and radio.
  • Keep documents and cash in waterproof wrapping.
  • Harvest-ready crops: harvest early if a severe cyclone is forecast, where feasible.

During the event

  • Stay in the strongest available building; keep away from windows.
  • If in a kutcha (light) house, move to a cyclone shelter, school or pucca building before winds arrive.
  • Do not go out during the calm eye — winds return suddenly from the opposite direction.
  • Fishermen: do not go to sea from the first warning onward; secure boats high onshore.
  • Listen to official radio bulletins; rumours cost lives.

After the event

  • Remain sheltered until the official all-clear.
  • Beware of storm surge and river flooding continuing after the wind drops.
  • Avoid downed electric lines and damaged structures.
  • Drink only boiled/treated water; cholera and diarrhoeal disease follow cyclones.
  • Use ORS for dehydration; seek help early for injuries and fever.
  • Cooperate with relief teams; register damage for assistance.

Emergency kit checklist

  • Dry rations (rice, dates, biscuits), drinking water, ORS packets
  • Torch, radio, batteries, power bank
  • First aid, chlorine tablets, medications
  • Documents & cash waterproofed
  • Rope, plastic sheeting, machete/knife

Evacuation guidance

  • Move when the evacuation stage/signal is announced — do not wait for landfall visuals.
  • Take the kit, help neighbours, secure livestock on high ground.
  • Use designated shelters; note that surge can cut return routes for days.

What NOT to do

  • Do NOT stay in mud/thatch houses or near the shoreline during a severe cyclone.
  • Do NOT venture out in the eye's calm.
  • Do NOT touch fallen wires or drive through flooded causeways.
  • Do NOT spread or act on unverified rumours about the storm track.

Children, older people and people with disabilities

  • Prioritize early shelter movement for pregnant women, children, older people and people with disabilities.
  • Community volunteers should maintain lists of households needing evacuation help.

Pet safety

  • Move livestock to elevated ground and untie them if surge threatens.
  • Take small animals to shelter in carriers where permitted.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a cyclone, hurricane and typhoon?

They are the same phenomenon — a tropical cyclone — named differently by region: hurricanes (Atlantic/NE Pacific), typhoons (NW Pacific), and cyclones (Indian Ocean and South Pacific).

Why is storm surge so deadly in the Bay of Bengal?

The bay's shallow, funnel-shaped shelf amplifies surge, and densely populated low-lying deltas offer little high ground. Historic cyclones like Bhola (1970) killed hundreds of thousands primarily through surge — early evacuation to shelters is the proven life-saver.

Disclaimer: general guidance compiled from official emergency-management recommendations (FEMA/Ready.gov, IFRC, WHO and national agencies). It does not replace instructions from your local authorities. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.