A tropical cyclone, also known as a hurricane or typhoon, wreaks a staggering amount of havoc. Years of development can be wiped out within a few hours. Agriculture, tourism, fisheries, and industry all suffer. People are killed, and infrastructure is destroyed. Roads, bridges, railroads, port facilities, factories, and houses are damaged.
Landslides tear apart hillside communities.
Cyclones cannot be controlled, but the loss of life can be minimized through adequate community preparation and efficient, accurate warmings by Meteorological Services, as happened with Hurricane Andrew in the Caribbean and the USA in August 1992. Comprehensive tropical cyclone warning and preparedness activities have been implemented and are constantly being improved in the five tropical cyclone areas of the glove. Observation and telecommunications systems are being enhanced. Meteorologists and hydrologists are being given advanced training on early warning systems. WMO, together with the International Council of Scientific Unions, is also involved in the tropical cyclone disasters demonstration project.