Cyclone Fani: Here's a list of do's, don'ts to keep you safe

Mumbai: Cyclone Fani, one of the extremely severe cyclones of its time has already hit Odisha on Friday morning.

Nearly 11 lakh people have been evacuated from the vulnerable areas to safer places in the last 24 hours in Odisha.

Apart from Odisha, several districts in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal have also been put on red alert.

Read: LIVE | Cyclone Fani hits Odisha, to continue upto 10.30 am: IMD

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDRF) has released a list of Do’s and Don’ts to keep people safe and alerted during the tough times.

Here is the advisory issued:

Before the cyclone

• Remain calm and ignore rumours

• Keep your mobile phones charged

• Use SMS

• Stay tuned to the news for weather updates

• Store documents and other valuables in waterproof containers

• Prepare an emergency kit

• Carry out repairs at home

• Don't leave sharp objects loose

• Untie cattle or other animals

During/after the cyclone (if indoors)

• Switch off electrical mains, gas supply

• Keep doors and windows shut

• If your house is unsafe, leave early before the onset of the cyclone

• Listen to a radio/transistor

• Drink boiled/chlorinated water

• Rely only on official warnings

During/after the cyclone (if outdoors)

• Don't enter damaged buildings

•Watch out for broken electric poles, wires, other sharp objects

• Seek a safe shelter ASAP

For fishermen

• Keep a radio set with extra batteries handy

• Keep boats/rafts tied in a safe place

• Don't venture out to sea

People should avoid listening to rumours at such times.

To keep a tab on verified news, follow the given Twitter handles:

• National Disaster Management Authority (@ndmaindia)

• Chief Minister's Office, Odisha (@CMO_Odisha)

• Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha (@Naveen_Odisha)

Useful numbers

Odisha's emergency helpline number is +916742534177. Here is a list of control room numbers.

Tracking the storm

Keep a check on the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) website for the latest information on Cyclone Fani.

You can view the poster advisory below:

The NDMA also released video guides for what one should do before and during a cyclone.