Safe shelter

With its long coastline and dry interior regions, Oman is a magnet to the tropical cyclones of the Arabian Sea. Loss of life can be minimized and damage limited if buildings are designed to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events like storms and floods.

After cyclone Shaheen, which hit the Sultanate recently, some engineers suggested making use of the terrace space or top of the house as a safe shelter in the time of cyclones or other natural disasters.

In the event of rising water, one can sit on the terrace while the water recedes or wait for evacuation.

Badr bin Nasser al Hadabi, an architect, said, “After listening to the stories of the Shaheen stricken people, I would suggest building a medium-sized room with a pantry on the terrace as an alternative living space during the period of emergency.” Al Hadabi added that a generator may be set up to supply power in case of outage.

If the design of the roof is completely or partially covered with various triangular or rectangular shapes, it can be converted into a room instead of an attic or just leaving it empty.

The terrace can also be converted into a play area for children or space for hosting family get-togethers or a barbecue corner. A few pieces of furniture like sofas and folding chairs will make it a comfortable corner to relax or enjoy the evenings in winter.

It can also be converted into a place for pets like birds or small animals. A small garden to grow vegetables or flowers is another option. One can relax while watering plants or tending the flower beds.

Civil engineers suggest that roof terraces must meet safety requirements to prevent accidents. Guardrails must be installed to prevent falls or unauthorized access to certain areas. Good lighting is necessary to ensure the safety of people. Besides providing the required protection from the scorching sun during the day, or windy conditions at night, the roof structure should be robust enough to withstand all kinds of extreme weather.