OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — The warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico hits the cool, dry air from Canada and a tornado is born. The birthplace is typically tornado alley, which includes Oklahoma.

The National Weather Service provides information on how to prepare for a tornado by staying informed of the current weather and any potential severe weather. Their website shows what an individual should do during a tornado, whether at home, the workplace or school, outside or in a vehicle.

But what about preparation before severe weather strikes?

U.S. government website www.ready.gov provides information on how to build a kit for disaster, including a checklist of recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit to be prepared.

According to the website, being prepared means having food, water and supplies to last for at least 72 hours.

Additional emergency supplies can be determined by individual needs. This includes prescription medications, cash, important family documents such as insurance and identification, sleeping bags and clothes.

After assembling an emergency kit, maintenance may be required and needs for families may change and should be rethought every year.

Keeping canned food in a cool, dry place, replacing expired items as needed and making sure boxed food is stored in a tightly closed plastic or metal containers will guarantee an emergency kit is up to date.

The website also recommends to consider kit storage locations since an individual’s location may not be known during a disaster, whether it will be work, home or vehicle.

Home kits should be kept in a designated place and ready in case evacuation is necessary.

Work kits should be stored in a ‘grab and go’ case and accommodate a person for at least 24 hours including food, water and other necessities such as medication.

Vehicles kits should have additional supplies with a basic kit, such as jumper cables and car cellphone charger.

For more information visit: www.ready.gov/build-a-kit

NEW DELHI: Six months after the University Grants Commission (UGC) sent a letter to all universities asking for compulsory courses on disaster management, geography teachers of Delhi University, concerned with the safety situation in the campus, have written to the DU vice-chancellor requesting the start of such a course.
In their letter, geography professor and member of the DU Teacher’s Association (DUTA), Vishwaraj Sharma, stated that DU needs a centre for disaster management studies.

“It is pertinent to note that whenever any disaster happens, it not only causes financial but also social and psychological sufferings in the society. Thus, the importance arises of conducting research and studying this discipline in the contemporary society,” the professor wrote to the vice-chancellor.

Sharma told TOI that only recently, JNU started its ‘Special Centre for Disaster Research,’ a trans-disciplinary centre where research would be conducted including social sciences and natural sciences and will start courses from next year.

Amita Singh, chairperson of the centre, explained that the centre will allow opportunities of research and “will also start master’s courses where students will be taught about disaster management and response.”

Sharma also mentioned TOI’s report on Jamia Millia Islamia beginning its centre for climate sustainability and disaster management where they are offering MSc and diploma courses ‘specific to Delhi’.