typhoon haiyan 2013

• one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded and the deadliest typhoon in Philippines modern history
• originated

  • area of low pressure in the Federated State of Micronesia (Pacific ocean)
• by september, super typhoon - wind speeds of 250 km/ hr
• Tacloban lies in the centre of the Philippines where tropical storms cross from the Pacific Ocean, making it the most affected in the world by this
• many Filipinos moved from countryside to cities (eg. Tacloban) for work

  • high population densities
  • overcrowded residential areas

  = vulnerability to typhoons
• housing

  • poorly constructed on the flat land near to sea = vulnerable to storm surges and flooding
  • OR on steep hillsides = vulnerable to land slides due to high rainfall on slopes where vegetation has been removed
• low income

  • especially vulnerable to aftermath
  • unable to provide for themselves, look to regional and national government agencies (who often don't have resources to cope in such emergencies)
  • so, people (eg. those in Tacloban) dependant on governents of other countries and NGOs - charities
• impacts

  • severe winds
  • heavy rainfall - one area 300 mm in 12 hrs
  • storm surges - up to 6 m (damage and death)
• major effects

  • estimates of death toll 10,000
  • damage to buildings and infrastructure
  • 2 million homeless, 6 million displaces
  • some low lying areas in east Tacloban washed away
  • communication and power systems destroyed
  • due to flooding and landslides - major roads blocked, relief made hard except by air
  • Tacloban airport damaged by storm surge - repaired quick as centre of international relief
  • total damage $ 2.9 billion
• responses

  • fear of outbreaks of cholera and dysentery - contained by fast action from WHO
  • international
  • UK government deployed 2 navy ships to Tacloban area - 200,000 tonnes of aid
  • America sent ships and aircraft and 13,000 service personal