Cyclone drill and shelter walk, Bhola
Everyone in one neighbourhood learns the nearest shelter, the way there and the signals; one walk-through.
- 0/8 people
- About 6 hours
- 25
- points
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
0 of 4 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 7 hours across all steps
- 1
Fix the shelter and the route
Which shelter each household goes to, and the safest way there, with the union council and CPP.
120 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Door to door
The signals, the emergency bag (papers in plastic, water, dry food, medicine, torch), the cattle plan.
180 minলিফলেট
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
The drill: walk there together
Everyone walks together to the shelter at a set hour; time it.
90 minবাঁশি, পানি
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 4
Hang the list
Families and their shelter, on the wall of the shop or mosque.
30 minবোর্ড, মার্কার
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- 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.
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳3,200–6,800
- People
- 8
- Time in all
- 6 hours
- Age
- Any age
Best timeBefore the cyclone seasons: March–April (before the April–May storms) and September (before October–November). In calm weather, in daylight.
PermissionConsent of the union parishad and the shelter's keeper (often a school head teacher); bring in the area's CPP unit.
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Leaflet: signal meanings, emergency bag, way to the shelter200Where: Print shop | 200 | ৳3–6 |
| Whistles4Where: Sports shop | 4 | ৳30–80 |
| Megaphone hire (free if the CPP unit lends one)1 dayWhere: Sound and decorator shop | 1 day | ৳300–800 |
| List board (tin or wood)1Where: Signboard maker | 1 | ৳800–2,000 |
| Markers and paint1 setWhere: Stationery shop | 1 set | ৳150–400 |
| Drinking water (half litre)60 bottlesWhere: Grocer | 60 bottles | ৳15–25 |
| Sample emergency bag to show (zip bags, torch, saline)1Where: Grocer and pharmacy | 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 timekeeper1
Works with CPP, gives the signal, times the walk.
Lane leads4
Brings out everyone from their 10–15 homes.
Assistance team2
Walks beside elders, disabled people and children.
Roll call at the shelter and photos1
Records arrivals; photos and video.
Whom to speak to first
Union parishad chairman's office and union disaster management committee
- Why
- They hold the shelter list and decide which area goes where.
- How
- Give a written request; invite a representative to the drill.
The area's Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) unit
- Why
- They spread warnings, raise flags and run evacuation; the drill must match their way.
- How
- Meet the unit team leader through the union parishad or upazila CPP office.
The shelter's keeper (often the school head teacher)
- Why
- Key, toilets and water are with them.
- How
- Tell the date and time; get consent.
Mosque imam or temple priest
- Why
- Everyone hears their announcement.
- How
- Ask for an announcement the Friday before.
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.
How to take the proof
- A photo and short video of the line walking the route.
- The roll-call page at the shelter, with total and time.
- A readable close photo of the list on the wall.
- No photos of children's or women's faces without consent.
Common first-time mistakes
- Choosing a shelter without the CPP and union parishad.
- Only young people walk; elders and disabled people forgotten.
- Walking without explaining the signals.
- Keeping the list in a file instead of on the wall.
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.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
Invitation to volunteers and residents
Cyclone drill: [area/village]. [date], 9 am. We will all walk together to [shelter name], learn the way, and learn that signals 5–7 mean danger and 8–10 great danger: time to go to the shelter. Bring an emergency bag: papers in plastic, water, dry food, medicine, torch. This is only a drill, nothing to fear. To volunteer, join on the task page or tell [name].
Application to the union parishad
To: The Chairman, [union] Union Parishad, [upazila], [district] Subject: Permission and support for a cyclone-shelter drill in [ward/village]. Sir/Madam, Our volunteer team [team name] would like to hold a drill on [date], 9 to 11 am, walking residents of [ward/village] to [shelter name], and explaining the warning signals and the emergency bag. We ask your help to keep the shelter open and to involve the area's CPP unit. If the weather is bad or any signal is up, the drill will be postponed. Yours faithfully, [name], team lead, [date]
After it is done
- Update the wall list before every season.
- Report route problems (broken bridge, no light) to the union parishad in writing.
- Drill twice a year, before each season.
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.