Typhoon Haiyan

Question 1

When and where did Typhoon Haiyan strike?

Answer 1

Typhoon Haiyan struck the central Philippines in November 2013.

Question 2

What caused Typhoon Haiyan to form?

Answer 2

Typhoons require warm ocean temperatures, unstable air pressure, wind shear, rotation and a trigger.
Typhoon Haiyan was formed in the waters of the Western Pacific Ocean, which is warm all throughout the year. The atmospheric conditions in the area had low wind shear and high humidity, allowing the storm to organize and strengthen. The Coriolis effect led to the formation of the typhoon.

Question 3

Describe the impacts of Typhoon Haiyan’s strong winds.

Answer 3

• The typhoon had sustained winds of 315 km/h, reaching 380 km/h at points. This uprooted trees, damaged buildings, and caused infrastructure to collapse.
• The infrastructure collapse forced millions to evacuate their communities and seek shelter in evacuation centres or makeshift shelters. This created a humanitarian crisis, with challenges related to providing adequate food, water, healthcare and sanitation facilities.

Question 4

Describe the impacts of Typhoon Haiyan’s storm surge.

Answer 4

The typhoon generated a massive storm surge, with ocean waters rising well above normal levels. This inundated coastal areas, and caused widespread flooding in coastal communities.
The storm surge caused severe damage to roads, bridges, power lines and communication networks, hampering rescue and relief efforts and making it difficult to provide immediate assistance to affected communities.

Question 5

Describe the impacts of Typhoon Haiyan’s torrential rainfall.

Answer 5

The storm brought intense rainfall, which led to flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas.
These landslides posed an additional threat to communities, burying homes and infrastructure, as well as obstructing transportation routes, further hampering rescue efforts.

Question 6

Describe Typhoon Haiyan’s social impacts.

Answer 6

The traumatic experience of surviving the typhoon, witnessing loss of life and destruction, and the challenges of rebuilding lives can have long-lasting psychological and emotional impacts on individuals and communities.
Vulnerable populations such as poor, marginalized groups and indigenous communities experience exacerbated social inequalities as they face greater difficulties in recovering and rebuilding their lives compared to more affluent segments of society.

Question 7

Describe Typhoon Haiyan’s economic impacts.

Answer 7

The typhoon caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, airports, ports and power distribution networks. The cost of repairing all this was significant, affecting economic activities and slowing the rate of recovery.
The loss of livelihoods alongside the economic downturn pushes affected individuals even further into poverty, which leads to increased inequality and socioeconomic disparities.

Question 8

Describe Typhoon Haiyan’s environmental impacts.

Answer 8

The storm’s impact led to the release of pollutants and contaminants into the environment, which posed risks to water sources, soil and ecosystems, potentially affecting human and environmental health.
The damage to infrastructure, industrial facilities, and waste management systems resulted in increased water and air pollution, affecting water sources, marine life, and public health.

Question 9

Describe Typhoon Haiyan’s political impacts.

Answer 9

The typhoon attracted significant attention, and international aid from governments, organizations, and individuals worldwide. The political impact involved coordination and collaboration between the affected country and international entities in addressing the immediate needs and long-term recovery efforts.
The typhoon also sparked political debates and discussions on climate change policies, mitigation strategies, and the need for increased global action to address climate-related risks.

Question 10

List Typhoon Haiyan’s short-term responses.

Answer 10

• Medical teams and healthcare professionals were deployed to provide emergency medical care, treat injuries and address public health concerns, including the prevention and control of diseases.
• Humanitarian organisations and government agencies provided immediate assistance by distributing food, water, medical supplies and essential items to affected communities in evacuation centres and temporary shelters.
• Search and rescue teams, including local authorities, military personnel, and international assistance, were deployed immediately after the typhoon to locate and evacuate survivors trapped in collapsed buildings and affected areas.

Question 11

List Typhoon Haiyan’s long-term responses.

Answer 11

• Initiatives to enhance climate resilience and disaster risk reduction measures, such as improving early warning systems, strengthening coastal defences, implementing land-use planning, and promoting sustainable practices.
• The experience of Typhoon Haiyan prompted the reviewing of response protocols and the establishing of dedicated agencies for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
• Efforts were made to restore and rehabilitate damaged ecosystems, including reforestation, mangrove restoration, and coral reef rehabilitation, to enhance ecological resilience and protect against future natural disasters.