The device which is used to measure wind speed is called anemometer. Since wind speed plays an important role in the formation of storms, an anemometer becomes useful to predict the cyclones or storms in cyclone prone areas.

The technologies that include satellites and radars issue the information of expected storm in advance in the form of cyclone warnings. It is issued in two stages, i.e. a cyclone alert or cyclone watch is issued 48 h in advance of any expected storm and cyclone warning is issued 24 h in advance. The message is broadcasted every hour or half hour when a cyclone is nearest the coast.

These are produced by the dark clouds which form at fairly low altitude in the atmosphere.

I will help my neighbours in case cyclone approaches my village/town by the following ways:
(i) I will help in shifting their household articles, domestic animals, etc., to safer place. (ii) I will provide phone numbers of all emergency services like police, fire brigade and medical centres.
(iii) I will give them safety advice like avoid driving on roads through standing water, not to touch wet switches, etc.

Holes are made in hanging banners and hoardings to allow air to pass through them as a result of which there will be less pressure of air on the banners or hoardings. Unless it is done, these may be uprooted or distorted due to the pressure of the air.

Two experiences that made us think that air exerts pressure are
(i) Cycling against the direction of the wind, it is difficult to ride. It shows that the air exerts pressure.
(ii) While rowing a sailboat in the direction of the wind, it is always easier to row and while rowing a sailboat against the direction of the wind, it is very difficult to row. It also shows that the air exerts pressure.

Two methods to find out wind direction at a given place are
(i) An instrument called anemometer can be used to find the direction and speed of the wind.
(ii) Hold a strip of paper outside. The direction in which the paper is blowing is the direction in which the wind blows.

Steel being a good conductor of electricity allows a clear passage of the energy of lightning to the ground with any damage. Therefore, they do not need lightning rods.

(i) Lightning conductor should be installed on large buildings. When lightning strikes, it provides a path to the charge to pass through it.
(ii) We should be stand under a tree because lightning can set the tree on fire.
(iii) We should confine ourselves indoors.

A tornado is a dark funnel shaped cloud that reaches from the sky to the ground.
The diameter of a tornado can be as small as a metre and as large as kilometre or even wider. The funnel of a tornado sucks dust, debris or everything that comes near its base (due to low pressure) and throws them out up to the top.

Some precautions are
(i) Put heavy stones on it.
(ii) Screw it tight.

An Indian ocean is mainly responsible to bring rain bearing monsoon winds to Kerala coast in June every year.

Chandigarh is unlikely to be affected by a cyclone because it is not near to the sea or an ocean.

Take two paper bags or empty paper cups of the same size. Hang the two bags in the inverted position on the two ends of a metal or wooden stick. Tie a piece of thread in the middle of the stick. Hold the stick by the thread as in a balance. Put a burning candle below one of the bags. As the warm air rises up, it pushes the bag above the candle. This activity proves that warm air is lighter than cool air.

Cyclones can be very destructive as they travel over seas at 15-30 km/h and the strong winds push water towards the shore even when the storm is hundreds of kilometres away. This is actually the first indication of an approaching cyclone. The central low pressure area lifts the water surface in the centre to a height of 3 - 12 metres and it appears like a water wall moving towards the shore. As a result seawater enters and floods the low lying coastal areas causing loss of life and property. This reduces the fertility of the soils also. Since cyclones are accompanied by heavy rainfall, it further worsens the flood situation. In addition, the communication system, livestock, trees, buildings, bridges and many other man-made structures are also damaged by high speed wind.

The disaster management of a cyclone involves:
(A) Effective Safety Measures:
(i) A cyclone forecast and warning service.
(ii) Rapid communication of warning to the government agencies, the ports, fisherman, ships and to the general public.
(iii) Construction of cyclone shelters in the cyclone prone areas and administrative arrangements for moving people fast to safer places.
(B) Action on the Part of the People:
(i) We should not ignore the warnings issued by the meteorological department through media like TV, radio or newspapers.
(ii) We should:
(a) make necessary arrangements to shift the essential household goods, domestic animals and vehicle etc., to safer places.
(b) avoid driving on roads through standing water, as floods may have damaged the roads and
(c) keep ready the phone numbers of all emergency services; like police, fire brigade and medical centre. Some other precautions if you are staying in a
cyclone prone area:
(1) Do not drink water that could be contaminated. Always store drinking water for emergencies.
(2) Do not touch wet electric switches and fallen powerlines.
(3) Do not pressurise the rescue force by making undue demands.