Strategies for Managing Impacts of Tropical Cyclones (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Environmental Management): Revision Note

Strategies for managing impacts of tropical cyclones

• Cyclones cannot be prevented, but their impacts can be reduced

• Management involves forecasting, preparation, protection, evacuation and recovery

Monitoring and warning

• Meteorological agencies track developing storms

• Methods include:

  • Satellite images

  • Radar and wind measurements

  • Aircraft reconnaissance

  • Computer modelling to predict paths

  • Forecasts can also predict storm surge height, helping coastal areas prepare for flooding

• Why it matters:

  • Early warnings save lives

  • Allows time to evacuate at-risk areas

Structure of buildings

• Engineering methods help structures withstand high winds and flooding

• Examples:

  • Hurricane straps to secure roofs

  • Shuttered windows and reinforced doors

  • Elevated buildings in coastal areas are at risk from storm surges

  • Wind-resistant materials

Disaster preparation

• Preparation reduces panic and improves response efficiency

• Includes:

  • Emergency plans and evacuation routes

  • Community drills

  • Stockpiling food, water, medical supplies

  • Trained emergency rescue teams

  • Public education campaigns

Evacuation

• People moved from dangerous areas such as low-lying coasts or landslide-prone hills

• Transport and communication systems must function quickly

• Evacuation can save thousands of lives

Shelters

• Cyclone shelters are built to protect communities

• Features:

  • Strong, elevated structures

  • Reinforced concrete

  • Supplies of food, water and medicine

  • Space for large groups of people

• Common in cyclone-prone countries such as Bangladesh

Rebuilding of damaged areas

• Long-term recovery includes:

  • Repairing infrastructure (roads, power lines, bridges)

  • Reconstructing homes to improved, wind-resistant standards

  • Restoring farmland and replanting crops

  • Re-establishing schools and businesses

International aid

• After major disasters, countries may need support

• Aid includes:

  • Emergency supplies (water, food, shelter)

  • Medical teams and rescue workers

  • Financial assistance for rebuilding

  • Expertise in planning and reconstruction

Benefits & limitations of managing impacts of tropical cyclones

• Understanding strengths and weaknesses helps evaluate real-world responses

Monitoring and warning

• Benefits:

  • Saves lives through early evacuation

  • Tracks storm intensity and path accurately

• Limitations:

  • Technology is expensive

  • Predictions may change, reducing trust

  • Some remote communities may not receive warnings

Structure of buildings

• Benefits:

  • Reduces fatalities from collapse

  • Protects infrastructure and essential services

• Limitations:

  • It is very costly to upgrade old buildings

  • Low-income communities may not afford improvements

  • Extreme winds can still destroy reinforced structures

Disaster preparation

• Benefits:

  • Communities respond quickly and calmly

  • Reduces injury and confusion

• Limitations:

  • Requires regular training and funding

  • Not all communities participate

  • Supplies may not be maintained properly

Evacuation

• Benefits:

  • Most effective life-saving action

• Limitations:

  • Traffic congestion delays movement

  • People may refuse to leave

  • Requires good communication networks

Shelters

• Benefits:

  • Safe refuge from wind, flooding and storm surges

  • Reduces deaths among vulnerable populations

• Limitations:

  • Can become overcrowded

  • Conditions may be poor

  • Not accessible to everyone

Rebuilding

• Benefits:

  • Provides long-term safety and resilience

  • Opportunity to upgrade building standards

• Limitations:

  • Slow and extremely expensive

  • Insurance may not cover all costs

  • Rebuilding can disrupt communities

International aid

• Benefits:

  • Essential for countries lacking resources

  • Provides expertise, supplies and financial support

• Limitations:

  • Aid can be delayed by damaged transport routes

  • Some aid may be poorly managed or misused

  • Creates dependency in the long term