Desher Kaj
Cyclone drill and shelter walk, Bhola
Everyone in one neighbourhood learns the nearest shelter, the way there and the signals; one walk-through.
Area
Bhola
People
8 people
Time
About 6 hours
Difficulty
Medium
About this task
Bhola, the country’s largest island, suffered terribly in the 1970 cyclone; for people on the chars, knowing the way to the shelter is vital. In a coastal neighbourhood, fixing the cyclone shelter and the way there, going door to door on what the warning signals mean and what goes in an emergency bag, then walking to the shelter together as a drill. Last, a list of families and their shelter on the wall.
Why it matters
The cyclones of 1970 and 1991 killed hundreds of thousands. Since then, shelters, early warning and the thousands of volunteers of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) have cut deaths sharply. Still, many leave home only at the last moment, not knowing the way, worried for their cattle and house. A drill breaks that hesitation.
What changes after
At least fifty people walked the drill; every family knows its shelter; the list hangs on the wall.
Who can join
Coastal residents and anyone. Best with the area’s CPP volunteers.
Step by step
- 1Done
Fix the shelter and the route120 min
Which shelter each household goes to, and the safest way there, with the union council and CPP.
- 2Done
Door to door180 min
The signals, the emergency bag (papers in plastic, water, dry food, medicine, torch), the cattle plan.
- 3Done
The drill: walk there together90 min
Everyone walks together to the shelter at a set hour; time it.
- 4Done
Hang the list30 min
Families and their shelter, on the wall of the shop or mosque.
Checklist to get ready
- Leaflets · ২০০টি
- Whistles · ৪টি
When it counts as done
- At least fifty people walked the drill
- The list is on the wall
Proof required: Photo, Video
⚠ Safety
Drill only in calm weather. When a real warning is up, follow the CPP volunteers and the authority, not the drill.
What it costs
| Leaflet: signal meanings, emergency bag, way to the shelter | 200 | ৳3–6 |
| Whistles | 4 | ৳30–80 |
| Megaphone hire (free if the CPP unit lends one) | 1 day | ৳300–800 |
| List board (tin or wood) | 1 | ৳800–2,000 |
| Markers and paint | 1 set | ৳150–400 |
| Drinking water (half litre) | 60 bottles | ৳15–25 |
| Sample emergency bag to show (zip bags, torch, saline) | 1 | ৳300–600 |
| Total (about) | ৳3,200–6,800 | |
Getting ready, step by step
14 days before
With the union parishad and CPP unit, fix the nearest shelter and the safe way.
Find out who keeps the shelter key and where the cattle go or the killa is.
7 days before
Walk the route once: broken bridges, low spots, dark corners.
Print leaflets; signal meanings in plain words.
List who will take each child, elder, disabled person or pregnant woman.
3 days before
Door to door: the day and time, a leaflet, the emergency bag.
Ask the mosque to announce it.
The day before
Check 1090; if any warning signal is up, postpone the drill.
Confirm the shelter will be open.
The day
Whistle and megaphone; everyone walks together; time it.
Count names at the shelter; hang the list on the wall.
Who does what
- Lead and timekeeper (1): Works with CPP, gives the signal, times the walk. — ____________
- Lane leads (4): Brings out everyone from their 10–15 homes. — ____________
- Assistance team (2): Walks beside elders, disabled people and children. — ____________
- Roll call at the shelter and photos (1): Records arrivals; photos and video. — ____________
The day, hour by hour
- 08:00Team meets, recap roles, check the weather once more.
- 08:30Lane leads go to their homes.
- 09:00Megaphone: “This is a drill. Imagine signal 10; go to the shelter.” Whistle; clock starts.
- 09:05Families walk with emergency bags; helpers beside the weak.
- 09:40Roll call at the shelter; note the time.
- 10:00CPP volunteer explains signals and flags; show the sample emergency bag.
- 10:30Questions: cattle, belongings, separate space for women.
- 11:00Hang the list on the mosque or shop wall; everyone home.
What can go wrong, and what to do
- A real warning signal on drill day → Cancel the drill; follow CPP and the authority, not the drill plan.
- People panic, thinking a real storm is coming → Say “this is a drill” in every announcement; tell every home beforehand.
- Someone falls on the way → Carry a first-aid box; walk, never run; call 999 if serious.
- A child gets separated → Children hold an adult's hand; match names at the shelter roll call.
Useful numbers
- 1090Disaster early warning (recorded, free)
- 999National emergency: police, fire, ambulance (free)
- 16163Fire Service and Civil Defence
Questions people ask
- Where do we hear the signals?
- Call 1090 from any phone (free) for weather and disaster warnings; also on the Meteorological Department website.
- What about the cattle?
- Many shelters have room for animals or a raised killa nearby; fix that during the drill too.
- Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
- Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.