Typhoon Haiyan Case Study OCR B Geography

Background

Typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda, struck the southeast coast of the Philippines on November 8, 2013. As a super typhoon, it brought devastating winds reaching up to 312 kilometres per hour, making it one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded. The most severely impacted regions included Leyte, Tacloban, and Samar. The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, is frequently affected by around 20 typhoons annually. This makes it a multiple-hazard zone, prone to other natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, landslides, and flooding.

Causes

Natural Causes:

1. Warm Ocean Waters: The Pacific Ocean’s vast expanse of warm waters provides the necessary heat and moisture to fuel powerful typhoons.
2. Low Wind Shear: Minimal variation in wind speed and direction with height ensures that the storm maintains its structure and intensity.
3. Geographical Layout: The scattered nature of the Philippines’ islands means there are few large landmasses to diminish the typhoon’s strength as it passes.

Human Factors:

1. Low Development Levels: The Philippines’ status as an emerging and developing country means limited resources for disaster preparedness and response.
2. Rapid Population Growth: Particularly in coastal areas, rapid population increase has led to dense, vulnerable settlements.
3. Inadequate Infrastructure: Poorly constructed buildings and storm shelters increase damage and casualty rates.

Consequences

• Human Impact:
  • Casualties: The typhoon resulted in at least 6,300 deaths.
  • Missing Persons: Approximately 1,800 people were declared missing.
  • Displacement: Around 670,000 people were rendered homeless due to the widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.
  • Affected Population: A total of 11.5 million people were impacted by the typhoon, including those who lost their homes, sources of income, or access to basic services.
• Economic Damage:
  • Financial Loss: The estimated economic damage amounted to $2.86 billion, encompassing the destruction of property, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
  • Primary Industries: Significant devastation occurred in primary industries, particularly fishing and agriculture. The Philippines, one of the largest producers of coconuts, suffered extensive damage to coconut trees. Fishing boats and related infrastructure were also severely affected.
  • Rice Production: Approximately 130,000 tonnes of rice were ruined, exacerbating food insecurity and economic loss.
• Infrastructure and Housing:
  • House Destruction: About 130,000 houses were destroyed, with 90% of the houses in Tacloban being demolished.
  • Shelter and Reconstruction: The extensive damage to housing necessitated large-scale relief and rebuilding efforts, stretching the government’s and aid organisations’ resources and capabilities.
• Environmental Impact:
  • Soil Erosion and Vegetation Loss: The typhoon caused significant soil erosion and vegetation loss, further impacting agriculture and the natural environment.

Responses

Immediate Response:

1. Evacuation Centres: Over 1,200 centres were established to shelter displaced persons.
2. International Aid: Countries like the UK provided substantial aid, including £50 million from the government and HMS Daring for emergency support.
3. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Organizations like ShelterBox distributed essential items such as water purification equipment, blankets, and solar-powered lights.

Government Actions:

1. Military Deployment: The Philippine government deployed soldiers to maintain order and assist in relief efforts.
2. Food Aid: The Philippine Red Cross provided basic food supplies, including rice and canned goods.

Challenges:

1. Accessibility Issues: Heavy rain and damaged infrastructure made it difficult to reach remote areas.
2. Coordination Problems: The vast number of islands complicated the assessment of damage and aid distribution.

Conclusion

Typhoon Haiyan’s catastrophic impact on the Philippines highlighted the vulnerability of EDCs to natural disasters. The combination of natural conditions conducive to typhoon formation and human factors such as poverty and rapid urbanisation exacerbated the disaster’s severity. The response showcased the challenges and the crucial role of international cooperation and local resilience in disaster management. Future efforts must focus on improving infrastructure, enhancing early warning systems, and developing sustainable urban planning to mitigate the effects of such natural events.