Typhoon Haiyan Flashcards
Where is the Philippines
Philippines is in Asia,
Region: South- East Asia
Philippines is an island country
What type of country is the Philippines
The Philippines is a Low Income Country (LIC)
When did the tropical storm occur
Typhoon Haiyan occurred on 8th November, 2013 at 4:40 am
What is the Philippines’ Human Development Index (HDI)
Philippines HDI - 0.699 (116th in the world)
What was the category, wind speed, rain and storm surge of Typhoon Haiyan
Category 5 typhoon
Wind speed: 314km/h recorded
Storm Surge - 5 metre storm surge experience in Leyte and Tacloban
Rainfall - In some areas 281.9mm of rainfall was recorded
Where was impacted (from Typhoon)
The city of Tacloban
(population of more than 220,000 people)
suffered more loss of life than any other area of the Philippines
What were the Primary Effect (SOCIAL)
More than 6190 people killed
5 million people’s homes severely damaged or destroyed
Tacloban airport terminal building damaged by 5m storm surge
Power was interrupted
Less affected areas reported their population more than doubled after the typhoon with the influx of refugees.
What were the Primary Effect (Economic)
Major rice, corn and sugar-producing areas destroyed
This affect country’s international trade and farmers’ incomes.
Six million workers lost their sources of income
What were the Primary Effect (Environmental)
Widespread floods damaged and destroyed homes and businesses in coastal areas
The Philippine government estimated about 71,000 hectares of farmland affected.
Thousands of trees uprooted leading to massive release of carbon dioxide and loss of habitat affecting wildlife.
Leyte and Tacloban experienced a 5-metre storm surge,
400mm of rainfall flooded an area of up to 1km inland
Flooding knocked over Power Barge 103 causing an oil spill affecting mangrove ecosystems
Major roads blocked by trees and were impassable
What were the Secondary Effect (Social)
1.9 million homeless
more than 6,000,000 displaced.
Outbreaks of disease (e.g. Typhoid) due to lack of sanitation, food, water, shelter, and medication
14.1 million people affected overall
What were the Secondary Effect (Economic)
The overall economic impact of Typhoon Haiyan estimated at $5.8 billion.
Fishing communities were severely affected by storm: destroying 30,000 boats and equipment.
Country’s international trade and farmers’ incomes were affected
because major rice, corn and sugar-producing areas for the Philippines were destroyed
What were the Secondary Effect (Environmental)
Massive releases of carbon dioxide and loss of habitat affecting wildlife due to thousands of trees uprooted
90% of Tacloban was destroyed
Seawater, chemicals and sewerage contaminated surface and groundwater.
An oil tanker ran aground, causing an 800,000-litre oil leak that contaminated fishing waters
Flooding knocked over Power Barge 103 causing an oil spill affecting mangrove ecosystems.
What were the immediate responses
UK government provided food, shelter, clean water, medicine and other supplies for up to 800,000 victims
The PAGASA, the Philippines’ meteorological agency broadcasted warnings two days before Typhoon Haiyan hit, leading to evacuation of approximately 750,000 residents
Several charities provided emergency aid such as water, food and shelter
The Philippines formally declared ‘A State of National Calamity’ and asked for international help, one day after Typhoon Haiyan hit the country.
A curfew introduced two days after the typhoon to reduce looting.
What were the long-term responses
Several charities helped people get their livelihoods back, e.g. by repairing fishing boats or distributing rice seeds.
Build Back Better is government’s response to the typhoon
Launched in 2014, intended to upgrade damaged buildings to protect them from future disasters
Also set up a no-build zone along the coast in Eastern Visayas
A new storm surge warning system has been developed,
Mangroves replanted to absorb future storm surges
What is the Saffir-Simpson scale
Saffir-Simpson scale classifies hurricanes into five categories based on their wind speed
