Preparing for Tropical Cyclones
Geography: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 1.3.7
Reducing the Impacts of Tropical Cyclones
The impacts of tropical cyclones can be significantly reduced by improving weather forecasting, evacuation plans and storm surge defences.
Prediction and weather forecasting
- Scientists can monitor storms using satellites, planes, and innovations like radar.
- Meteorologists build models to try to forecast the weather and cyclones. However, the weather is very complicated and accurate prediction a long time in advance is very difficult.
- Accurate prediction of tropical storm behaviours gives people time to prepare.
Protection
- Planning regulations on buildings and construction can ensure that buildings are built safely and only in areas that are unlikely to be flooded or damaged by hurricanes.
- Stilts are used in some nations to help stop flooding. Reinforced concrete is a stronger material that is better protected against tropical storms.
- Flood defenses can be constructed in vulnerable areas.
Planning
- Firefighters and ambulances should receive specific disaster training. The 1st of September is Japan's National Disaster Preparation Day.
- Special plans for evacuation and rescue could save lives.
Test yourself on Preparing for Tropical Cyclones
What do we need to improve to better our tropical cyclone predictions?