Very severe cyclone “Hudhud” is going to hit East Coast of India (esp. South state of Andhra Pradesh) on October 12th 2014 leaving a huge landfall. As part of rescue operations, tens of thousands of people from low-lying areas of coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh have been evacuated. Around 150 relief shelters have been opened in the coastal districts. Also, large number of Army personnel have been kept ready for relief operations. As per RSMC (Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for Tropical Cyclones over the North Indian Ocean), wind speed reaches 130 to 140 km/h with higher gusts during October 12 along and off north Andhra coast and 80 to 90 km/h (50 to 56 mph) along and off south Odisha coast. JTWC expects top maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h (134 mph) with gusts up to 260 km/h (161 mph).
This shows the severity of cyclone “HudHud”. Cyclones are one of the major natural disasters hitting the mankind on frequent basis. There is no way to prevent these cyclones. The only solution is to reduce the damage that occurs when cyclone hits a region. And most nations prepare themselves for disaster management and rescue operations. With the advent of 3D printing, the damage can be well minimized or relief can be distributed on a immediate basis. Below are various ways in which 3D printing can help minimize the damage caused by cyclones
(a) 3D Printed Houses:
One important advantage of 3D printing is 3D printed houses. Using 3D printing one can build hundreds of proper livable houses in a single day. All the displaced people from low lying areas can be accommodated in these 3D printed houses. All one needs to do is carry the machine and material to the nearest place where displaced people are located. These 3D printed houses can help accommodate those displaced people at a proper place for longer duration. One Chinese company has 3D printed 10 houses in a span of 24 hours. These houses are very durable, spacious and livable.
(b) 3D Printed Food:
3D printed food is other important advantage of 3D printing. As the displaced people are deprived of food, using 3D printer we can print food directly at the site thus providing quick healthy food for the displaced crowd. There are different types of food / paste extruders available in the market that can be used for 3D printing food. Again, all one needs to do is take the raw material, 3D print food and serve the food then and there itself. 3D printed food is very hygienic, healthy and fresh.
(c) 3D Printed Objects:
Other important advantage of 3D printing is 3D printed objects. As the displaced people don’t have access to objects for daily need, 3D printing can help print those objects as and when an object is required. This is already being implemented in Syria (war torn region) where 3D printing is used to print mugs, buckets and other daily need items for displaced lot.
(d) 3D Printed Cyclone:
This is another interesting news we came across though we can’t ascertain the usability of such object. Hudhud cyclone structure can be 3D printed and be used to study the cyclone, its properties and its impact. Click here to read more about 3D printing of cyclone Julio.
Looking at above, it is quite evident that 3D printing is going to change the way we deal with natural disasters. 3D Printing is going to ease the governmental efforts in dealing with post disaster issues like displacement, hygiene, food and so on.
as the state intensified preparations to face Cyclone Hudhud, expected to reach the northern coastline around Visakhapatnam by forenoon on Sunday.
As many as 24,000 people were shifted from Visakhapatnam district, 15,000 from Vizianagaram and 46,000 from Srikakulam and 160 from East Godavari district so far, special commissioner, state disaster management authority, K Hymavathi told here.
