Typhoon Bopha recently crossed paths with the
southern portion of the Philippines this last week causing pandemonium. This
area has had many run-ins with these natural disasters, experiencing a typhoon
season just like we experience hurricane season on the east coast. This typhoon was a beast with sustained winds up to 260km per hour and gusts of 315km per hour. So far,
approximately 620 people have been reported either dead or missing in the wake
of this storm and its subsequent disasters. The subsequent disasters that I’m
referring to are the floods that swept many people into the chaos of Bopha. These
regional floods also destroyed two emergency centers along with the 78 soldiers
and villagers located there. Another disaster that was triggered by this typhoon was
the landslide that added to the death toll. Heavy rains, especially in areas
with steep slopes lacking vegetation over, can over saturate the soil and seep in between the bedrock and soil. Yet another hazard Bopha brought with it was the flying debris such as the roofs of poorly constructed houses that were ripped off.
When it comes to mitigating hazards there is much that can be done for typhoons. Typhoons are slow developing hazards that can be seen days before they reach land. This allows us to predict when and where the disaster will strike to a fairly accurate degree. Knowing that you live in a typhoon prone area can help you in constructing houses or improving new ones that can withstand strong gale force winds. Planning on where to put emergency buildings is another important step in the mitigation process. As i mentioned above 78 people died because an emergency station was flooded. We need to be aware of potential floods levels that are associated with typhoons so that we can construct these important emergency facilities in safe areas.
When it comes to mitigating hazards there is much that can be done for typhoons. Typhoons are slow developing hazards that can be seen days before they reach land. This allows us to predict when and where the disaster will strike to a fairly accurate degree. Knowing that you live in a typhoon prone area can help you in constructing houses or improving new ones that can withstand strong gale force winds. Planning on where to put emergency buildings is another important step in the mitigation process. As i mentioned above 78 people died because an emergency station was flooded. We need to be aware of potential floods levels that are associated with typhoons so that we can construct these important emergency facilities in safe areas.
Typhoon Bopha on its way to the Phillipines on Dec. 3rd, 2012
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57557204/philippines-death-toll-from-typhoon-bopha-nears-300/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/06/world/asia/typhoon-said-to-have-killed-hundreds-in-philippines.html?_r=0
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