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A cyclone is one of a family of tropical storms (also called
hurricanes, typhoons, or whirlwinds) that develop over warm
tropical oceans and have sustained winds of 64 knots (74 miles/hour).
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Cyclones develop over warm oceans that are over 27ºC in temperature.
Water evaporating from the sea acts as a kind of 'fuel', producing
the energy of a cyclone.
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In one day, the energy released by a cyclone is at least 8,000
times more than the electrical power generated each day in the
USA.
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Not only are the winds dangerous but they blow on the water,
creating the problem of storm surges and huge waves. Water can
rise as high as thirty feet and floods can occur up to 30 miles
inland.
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Cyclones destroy people's livelihoods. In 1991, 1 million
cattle were killed and 380,000 hectares of crops were destroyed.
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Most people in Bangladesh live in houses built from local
materials. Although these are well suited to local conditions,
they do not stand up to cyclones. When cyclones occur people
move to community cyclone shelters, taking with them a few belongings
and some food.
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By 1994 there were 500 cyclone shelters built in Bangladesh.
In the major cyclone that year, 750,000 people were moved to
safe places and there were far fewer deaths than in previous
cyclones.
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People usually seek shelter for a short time and return to
their homes as soon as the strongest winds have passed.
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A cyclone shelter costs approximately £45,000 to build. That’s
a lot for Bangladesh to afford because the country does not
have enough resources to provide for all its people's needs.
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