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| Artwork by Derick Cruz =) |
The Philippine Islands are prone to all kinds of natural hazards because of their geographical location and physical environment. The country is strategically located in the path of turbulent and destructive cyclones in the Pacific, and the “Ring of Fire”. This situation has adverse effects, not only on the lives and properties of the Filipino people, but also on the economy of the nation, as hazard impacts may result in widespread environmental and property damages. Natural hazards may cause danger to people, structures or economic assets, and may lead to a disaster if they are not mitigated against and prepared for.
Phenomena that are atmospheric, hydrometeorological or oceanographic and geographical in nature may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption and/or environmental degradation. Hydrometeorological and geographical hazards can be single, sequential or a combination in origin and effects.
The common hazards associated with these are heavy rains, strong winds, storm surge, floods and landslides/ mud slide /mud fl ow. Geological hazards are normal and their processes occur as irregular events with direct
interaction with the environment. They are capable of causing significant negative impact on human well-being. Their non-rhythmic occurrence makes their predictability difficult.
An important characteristic of many geological hazards is their prime land preference – the characteristic of preferentially occupying areas targeted by man for his use. Almost all types of geological hazards occur in the Philippines except hazards associated with glaciers and seasonal snowfall. Hazards arising from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and other related geotectonic phenomena such as landslide, tsunami and faulting are the most mitigated ones due to the frequency of their occurrence.
Types of Natural Hazards
Hydro-Meteorological Phenomena and Hazard
Cyclone
A cyclone is an intense low pressure system which is characterized by strong spiral winds towards the
center, called the “Eye” in a counter-clockwise fl ow in the northern hemisphere. Hazards due to tropical cyclones are strong winds with heavy rainfall that can cause widespread flooding/flashfloods, storm surges,
landslides and mudflows.
Classification
• Tropical Depression – maximum winds from 35 kph to 63 kph
• Tropical Storm – maximum winds from 64 kph to 118 kph
• Typhoons – maximum winds exceeding 118 kph
Typhoon
A typhoon is a large, powerful and violent tropical cyclone. It is a low pressure area rotating counterclockwise and containing rising warm air that forms over warm water in the Western Pacific Ocean. Less powerful tropical cyclones are called Tropical Depressions and Tropical Storms. A typhoon is called a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean, a cyclone in the Indian Ocean and wily-wily in Australia. Typhoons can inflict terrible damage due to thunderstorms, violent winds, torrential rain, floods, landslides, large and very big waves associated with storm surges.
Hurricane-force winds can reach out as little as 40 km from the center of a small hurricane and as far as 240 km in a large hurricane. Tropical storm-force winds can extend as far as 480 km
from the center of a large hurricane. These are very dangerous storms.
Preparedness and Mitigation (What to do before)
• Establish and maintain coordination with Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils (BDCC).
• Ensure that the school building can withstand heavy rain and strong winds. Single level schools built at ground level may be anchored by guy wires to strengthen the stability of the structure.
• Learn about typhoon and other weather disturbances, their signs and warnings, effects and dangers and how to protect the school children, records and school property.
• Educate school children on preparedness for tropical cyclones.
• Participate actively in the school’s disaster response – drill or simulation.
• Observe strictly Department policies on the suspension of classes or invoke school-based
decisions in coordination with Local Government Units.
Response (What to do during):
• Monitor through radio or other reliable sources the latest official report of PAGASA on the typhoon.
• Gather the pupils in the most stable, strong and safe school building when it is no longer safe for them to go home.
• Advise pupils/students to stay indoors and away from windows
• Coordinate with the proper school officials on possible immediate evacuation measures especially if the school is located in a low-lying area.
• Ensure that pupils/students will remain calm by keeping them informed of the latest developments.
Rehabilitation (What to do after)
• Attend to victims immediately. For minor cuts and wounds apply fi rst aid. Seek necessary medical assistance at disaster station or hospital.
• Check the classroom for damages and losses. Report these immediately to the authorized officials.
• Coordinate with the Barangay officials, LGU’s for assistance.
• Prepare the necessary documents to effect replacement of damaged buildings and other school properties and/or repair of the same.
Tomorrow, I will be posting more about flood.
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