Thunder

 THUNDER.

Thander occurs very often in sri lanka during the months of march-April and october-november when the process of conection is very common. however, thunder can occur at any time of the year.

The following courses of action may be followed to prevent the damage caused by thunder.

• Avoid haunting places such as parks/playgrounds when thunder storms occur.
• Avoid staying under or around tall trees.
• Avoid haunting places where water collects such as reservoirs and ponds.
• Refrain from engaging in swimming,rowing baots when thunders occur.
•  Avoid touching objects made of metal.
• Refrain from using telephones.
• Refrain from travelling in open vehicales such as bicycles, motor cycles and tractors.
• unplug every possible electrical item. Disconnect the top of the television antena and throw the entire unit out of the house.
• If thunders occur while you are in the open air,avoid barbed wire fances and, electricity poles.

                    As a person consuming the resources available in his environment, if man does not minimise the damage caused to his enviroment, it is possible that the damage he sustains on account of natural disasters will be further enhanced. Hence, it is our duty and responsibility, as citizens to refrain from engaging in actions that cause natural disasters.

 

          Action that can be taken to minimise natural disasters.

• Avoid deforestation.
• Refrain from setting fire to forests.
• Refrain from illicit removing of sand from rivers.
• Avoid clearing hill slopes.
• Refrain from illicit mining.
• Refran from exploiting coral reefs.
• Avoid removing the sand sheets in the coastal belt.
• Refrain from destroying mangroves.
• Refrain from engaging in unauthorised construction in the coastal and hilly areas.       

    

Earth slips

The mixed layer made up of soil that is formed on the surface of earth and pieces of stone , called the sedimentary stratum , moving down along the slopes through the force of gravity can be defined as an earth slip in simple terms. The speed of an earth slip can change depending on the amount of water received at the surface , and on human activities. At present we often hear of instances of  loss of life and damage caused to property on account

of natural disasters such as earth slips. Due to the earth slips that occurred in recent times in the hill country ,extensive destruction was caused to life and property as well as much damage to property. Several areas in Nuwara Eliya, Kandy ,Kegalle ,Ratnapura and Matale districts have been identified as regions subject to the risk of earth slips. Heavy rain causes earth slips in the slopes with rocks , and earthquakes too cause earth 
slips                                                                                            

The human actions that cause earth slips are clearing hill slopes, illicit mining and unauthorized constructions. It is possible to identify through observation one or several of the following characteristics in areas susceptible to the risk of earth slips.

• wells and springs turning muddy or dying up on days with heavy rain.
• cracks appearing along the ground and their widening.
• rolling down of rocks that existed on land surface.
• unusual behavior of animals.
• unusual cracking of walls or floors of dwellings.

If you notice one or several of these characteristics through your observations prompt action should be taken to notify them to the relevant government officers. Also you must take action to inform your neighbors  about them and evacuate the premises and move on to secure places ,according to the instructions received.  

Cyclones

Cyclones
   
   Cyclones are a type of gale that occurs in the tropical zone. A system of winds that rotates clockwise or anti-clockwise centered round a low pressure belt in the atmosphere, can be defined as a cyclone.


    there a instances when the velocity of the wind at the centre exceeds 350 km. These winds are also accompanied by gusts of winds and heavy rain. The occurrence of strong winds and heavy rain may cause loss of life, and damage to houses and electric cables.

precautions to guard against cyclones

• The Department of Meteorology will transmit through communication media a forewarning about a cyclone about 48 hours prior to its anticipated occurrence.
• When it has been warned to evacuate an affected area, the residents must promptly respond to such a call.
• They must move to safe areas.
• It will be useful to carry with each person, a disaster prevention kit comprising a bottle of water, first aid kit, biscuits or some light food items, a battery operated radio, a torch.

  

  If there is no warning to evacuate the place, and if you expect to stay indoors, observe the following instructions:

• Ascertain whether the roof and the walls of the house are secure.
• Cut the branches of the trees that might cause damage to the house.
• Identify a place of high elevation to move into for protection in case of the occurrence of a flood.
• Disconnect the electrical installations.