Hydrometeorological Hazards | DRRR | Week 3

Summary

This lesson explores the impact of hydro meteorological hazards in the Philippines, including typhoons, floods, storm surges, and thunderstorms. It discusses the causes, classifications, and tools for monitoring these hazards, as well as the importance of disaster preparedness. Students will learn about long-term and short-term hazards such as El Niño, La Niña, and sea level rise. The session emphasizes the role of PAGASA in providing weather forecasts and hazard maps. The lesson also outlines actionable steps for preparedness, including creating family emergency plans and participating in national drills. Technology and communication play key roles in mitigating disaster risks.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hydro meteorological hazards include typhoons, thunderstorms, floods, and storm surges, caused by extreme weather events.
• 😀 The Philippines is highly vulnerable to these hazards, experiencing an average of 20 typhoons annually due to its location in the Pacific typhoon belt.
• 😀 Typhoons are classified into five levels, ranging from tropical depression (PSWS #1) to super typhoon (PSWS #5) based on wind speeds and impact.
• 😀 El Niño causes droughts due to the unusual warming of ocean waters, while La Niña leads to increased rainfall and flooding due to cooler ocean temperatures.
• 😀 Sea level rise, driven by global warming and the melting of ice sheets, threatens coastal areas, with Manila Bay experiencing a rise of 13.24 mm annually.
• 😀 Thunderstorms, characterized by lightning and thunder, require specific conditions such as moisture, unstable air, and a lifting mechanism to form.
• 😀 Floods and flash floods are common short-term hazards, often caused by heavy rainfall, poor land management, and deforestation.
• 😀 Storm surges, which occur due to intense storms, can cause significant damage to coastal areas, and their severity is categorized using storm surge advisories (SSA).
• 😀 Riverbank and coastal erosion result from the force of water and storm action, leading to the gradual loss of land along streams and coastlines.
• 😀 Preparedness is crucial for minimizing the impact of these hazards, including having emergency plans, survival kits, and staying informed via official weather alerts.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the lesson in this video?

The lesson focuses on hydro meteorological hazards, including typhoons, thunderstorms, floods, storm surges, and their impacts on the Philippines. It also covers prevention, mitigation, and monitoring tools for these hazards.

What are hydro meteorological hazards?

Hydro meteorological hazards are extreme weather and climate events such as floods, droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, and landslides. These events can occur simultaneously or trigger cascading impacts.

What are the two classifications of hydro meteorological hazards?

Hydro meteorological hazards are classified into long-term hazards (like El Niño, La Niña, and sea level rise) and short-term hazards (such as typhoons, thunderstorms, floods, storm surges, riverbank erosion, and coastal erosion).

How do El Niño and La Niña affect the Philippines?

El Niño brings unusual warming of the Pacific Ocean, leading to drought and affecting agriculture and wildlife. La Niña brings cooler ocean temperatures, which can lead to floods and increase the risk of waterborne diseases in the country.

What is sea level rise, and what are its causes?

Sea level rise is caused primarily by the melting of ice sheets and glaciers and the expansion of seawater due to global warming. In the Philippines, the sea level in Manila Bay is rising by 13.24 millimeters annually.

What are the different grades of typhoon signals in the Philippines?

Typhoon signals in the Philippines range from Signal 1 (with winds of 30-60 km/h) to Signal 5 (with winds above 220 km/h). Signal 5 indicates a super typhoon with widespread damage potential.

What are thunderstorms, and what are the necessary conditions for their formation?

Thunderstorms are storms characterized by lightning and thunder. They form when three conditions are met: moisture, rising unstable air, and a lifting mechanism to keep the air rising.

What is the difference between floods and flash floods?

Floods are caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or storm surges, while flash floods are sudden surges of water over dry land, often caused by intense rain in a short period.

How does urbanization contribute to flooding?

Urbanization can exacerbate flooding by increasing impervious surfaces, such as roads and buildings, which prevent water from being absorbed into the ground, leading to faster runoff and higher flood risk.

What tools are used to monitor hydro meteorological hazards?

Tools used to monitor hydro meteorological hazards include weather stations, radar, rain gauges, anemometers (to measure wind velocity), weather satellites, wind vanes (for wind direction), and thermometers (for temperature).