It is very important to keep yourself safe when facing a strong storm. Its importance is even more clear from the recent natural disaster incidents. At least six people died in Delhi and NCR on Wednesday evening due to sandstorms and heavy rains. Of these, 2 died in Delhi, 2-3 in Ghaziabad and 2 in Greater Noida. Among the dead were an elderly woman and her two-year-old grandson, on whom a tin roof fell from the 21st floor. In addition, trees, electric poles and hoardings were broken, causing extensive damage.

IndiGo flight 6E 2142 from Delhi to Srinagar was hit by hail. Although the plane landed safely thanks to the pilot’s efforts, a video of panicked screams and cries of passengers inside the plane has gone viral. The picture shows the front of the plane damaged.

Here is a detailed guide on how to protect yourself in such situations:

What to do when you are at home or in a safe place
Keep windows and doors closed. If your house is not paved, then take shelter in a safe paved house.

What to do when you are outside
If you are caught in a storm while you are outside, quickly take shelter in a paved place or a sturdy vehicle. Stay away from trees, electric poles or large buildings, as they are likely to fall during a storm. If there is no safe place nearby, lie down on the ground and cover your head with your hands.

It is necessary to pay attention to electricity and gas
Keep the main electricity switch of the house off, to avoid short circuits. Check for gas leaks and turn off the gas cylinder regulator.

Keep emergency equipment close at hand
Keep a torch, water, medicine and important documents close at hand. Keep your mobile phone charged and keep listening to weather updates on the radio or any other means.

What to do after the storm
Stay away from torn electric wires or damaged houses. Go out only when necessary and follow the instructions of the administration. Take extra precautions if the storm is accompanied by rain or hail. Listen carefully to the warnings of the local weather department. Remember, being alert and calm during natural disasters reduces the amount of damage.

What to do if driving outdoors during a severe dust storm

1. Stop the car immediately and find a safe place or slow down and pull over to a safe place on the side of the road. If you are on a highway or expressway, park in an emergency parking area. Stay away from trees, electric poles, large buildings, or large hoardings.
2. Try to stay inside the car and be alert. Keep the car windows closed to prevent dust from entering. Turn off the engine and headlights, but keep the emergency lights on so that other drivers can see your car. Wear your seat belt, as strong winds can shake the car.
3. If the storm is very severe and there is a risk of the car flying or overturning, leave the car and lie down on the ground. Cover your head with your hands or something solid.

What to do when the weather calms down after a storm
When the storm has completely stopped, drive your car carefully and slowly. Be careful of fallen trees, power lines or debris on the roadside. If your car is damaged or the road is closed, call the helpline. Keep listening to the radio or weather updates. Don’t panic, stay calm and handle the situation. If the storm is accompanied by rain or hail, park your car under a bridge or flyover. However, it is better to avoid areas that are submerged.

Some notable cyclones in India

1999 Odisha Super Cyclone
This super cyclone hit Odisha on October 29, 1999. Bhubaneswar, Puri, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur were severely damaged. The wind speed was about 260 kilometers per hour. It is one of the strongest cyclones in the country. It killed more than 10,000 people, destroyed about 2 million houses, and uprooted millions of trees.

Amphan 2020
This cyclone, which hit West Bengal, Odisha, and Bangladesh, had wind speeds of about 240 kilometers per hour. It killed a total of 128 people in India and Bangladesh and caused property damage worth over Rs 13,000 crore. The Sundarbans ecosystem was severely damaged.

Andhra Pradesh Cyclone of 1977
This cyclone, which hit Andhra Pradesh on 19 November 1977, severely damaged Visakhapatnam and the Krishna-Godavari delta. Wind speeds were about 270 kilometers per hour. It is estimated that 10,000 to 50,000 people lost their lives. It was after this cyclone that a modern cyclone warning system was introduced in India for the first time.

2018 Kerala floods and storms
In August 2018, heavy monsoon rains and strong winds wreaked havoc in Kerala. Over 400 people died and over 1 million people were displaced.

Cyclone Thaukte, 2021
In May 2021, Cyclone Thaukte hit Gujarat, Maharashtra, Daman and Diu. Wind speeds reached 185 km/h. Thaukte killed over 100 people and caused flooding in Mumbai and Surat.