Category: Typhoon

In the tropics, the sun’s intense rays heat the sea to over 27°C. The warm sea surface produces water vapor that rushes upward, which is the source of typhoons.

As the water vapor turns into droplets, it releases heat into the surrounding air, warming it and intensifying the updrafts that lead to the development of cumulonimbus clouds. At the bottom the air has risen, so the area below will cause the surrounding wind to blow in. This is called a tropical depression. When the wind speed exceeds 17.2 meters per second, it is called a “typhoon”.

It is called different names depending on the place where it occurs. For example, when it occurs in the North Atlantic Ocean or the Caribbean Sea, it is called a “hurricane”, while when it occurs in the Indian Ocean or around the Bay of Bengal, it is called a “cyclone”.

Violent typhoons can occur at speeds of up to 194.4km/h, causing the uprooting of street trees and the destruction of houses.

A typhoon with a wind speed of 15m/s or more is called a large typhoon when the radius is 500-800km, and a super typhoon when the radius is 800km or more.

Typhoons that reach the warning level can lead to high tides, heavy rain, floods and windstorms, resulting in floods, water and power outages, paralysis of urban traffic, damage to buildings, personal injuries and other major accidents.

1. When stay at home

Pay attention to the weather forecast in advance and take precautions in time, such as fixing breakable objects outside the house, fixing windows with tape and other props, drawing curtains, and staying away from rooms with glass.

Prevent water and mud from flowing into your home stacking bags of soil at the entrance, inserting waterproof boards at the entrance, checking the drainage openings of kitchens, toilets and washrooms, or blocking bags with water to prevent blockage mud, garbage, etc., or to prevent backflow into the house.

2. When going to an evacuation site

Wear a raincoat when you go out to prevent your body temperature from dropping when you get wet, bring clothes that can be changed at any time and put them in a waterproof backpack, carry emergency items of minimum weight, and preferably put your valuables in a waterproof bag. It is best to wear sneakers, rain shoes that are not easy to get into the water, in case they become heavy and inconvenient to move. It is best to stay away from underground, fires, and routes near rivers, and to avoid places that may be dangerous to get to the evacuation site quickly.