Strategies To Manage Climatic Hazards

Question 1

Outline how technology has made it possible to predict and monitor tropical revolving storms

Answer 1

• Investment in observation of atmospheric coverage and refinements to computer models
• Economic development impacts ability to monitor and predict
• Technology ‘kick started’ by MET Office after Great Storm, 1987 (18 died, 1 million homes damaged)
• North Atlantic, two levels of warnings issued by National Hurricane Centre, Miami (Provided New Orleans with 6-8 days warning, only acted 1 day before)
• Indian Meteorological Agency gave Burma 48 hours

Question 2

Give 5 options available to protect the population from hazards associated with tropical revolving storms

Answer 2

• Reinforced windows and shutters to protect from high wind and debris
• Storm drains in urban areas remove excess water from storm surges and heavy rainfall
• Sea wall and reinforced levees to protect infrastructure
• Stilts to raise house, storm surge passes beneath
• Storm shelters

Question 3

How have strategies been successfully implemented in Bangladesh?

Answer 3

• 2000 cyclone shelters built
• Warnings issued by Bangladesh Meteorological Department in several languages via TV, radio, social media. Remote communities warned by bike with megaphone
• Death toll decreased 100-fold over 40 years (500,000 in 1970 to 5,000 in 2010)

Question 4

How do local governments raise awareness of the dangers associated with tropical revolving storms?

Answer 4

• Governments offer advice on how to protect properties and families (e.g. USA’s Department for Homeland Security has ‘ready.gov’ website)
• USA, National Hurricane Preparedness Week (Focus on education ahead of hurricane season)