XN000022-1977-06-14 — Page 5

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1977

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST TROPICAL CYCLONES AND HEAVY RAINSTORMS

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THE DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR. GORDON BELL, SAID TODAY THAT IT IS TIME NOW TO TAKE SOME PRELIMINARY PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE READY TO MINIMIZE THE DANGERS AND FINANCIAL LOSSES CAUSED BY HIGH WINDS, LANDSLIPS AND FLOODING DUE TO TROPICAL CYCLONES AND RAINSTORMS.

+COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS IS THE KEYNOTE FOR MINIMIZING THE DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, INJURIES AND LOSS OF LIFE WHICH CAN RESULT FROM THESE STORMS, HE ADDED.

THOSE WHO HAVE SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES DURING STORMS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDING RELEVANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS, ARE UP-TO-DATE.

GUTTERS AND DRAINS SHOULD BE CLEARED AND CHECKED FOR DAMAGE. BOLTS, LOCKS AND SHUTTERS OF ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS SHOULD BE CHECKED AND IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED. OWNERS OF SMALL CRAFT SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE IR MOORINGS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION.

CIVIL ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT SITE WORKS ARE PROTECTED AGAINST DAMAGE FROM HEAVY RAIN.

ON THE HOISTING OF A NUMBER & TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNAL OR DURING PERIODS OF PROLONGED HEAVY RAIN, MR. BELL SA ID TEMPORARY REFUGE CENTRES WOULD BE OPENED FOR THOSE WHO WISHED TO LEAVE THE IR HOMES TEMPORARILY FOR SAFETY REASONS.

+ANYONE IN ANY DOUBT AS TO WHERE TO GO SHOULD CONTACT THE NEAREST CITY DISTRICT OFFICE OR POLICE STATION, HE ADDED.

CARDS EXPLAINING THE TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SERVICE AND THE THUNDERSTORM AND HEAVY RAIN WARNING SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

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