Typhoon Haiyan, The Philippines, 2013

Question 1

What were the causes of the typhoon?

Answer 1

• The sea temperature was over 26.5 °C.
• The ocean was well over 60 m deep.
• The Coriolis Effect started the storm spinning.
• As the storm moved westwards, it passed little land to slow it down and grew as rapid evaporation released latent heat that powered the storm.
• Wind speeds up to 315 km/h.
• 400 mm of heavy rainfall.

Question 2

What were the social impacts of the typhoon?

Answer 2

• At least 6300 people died.

- 11.5 million people affected.

Question 3

What were the economic impacts of the typhoon?

Answer 3

• $2.86 billion of damage.

- 77% of farmers and 74% of fisherman lost the main source of income.

Question 4

What were the environmental impacts of the typhoon?

Answer 4

• 130,000 tonnes of rice destroyed.

- Many coconut plantations were levelled.

Question 5

What were the short-term responses to the typhoon?

Answer 5

• 1215 evacuation centres were set up.
• UN appealed for £190 million (UK alone donated £50 million).
• Britain sent HMS Daring.

Question 6

What were the long-term responses to the typhoon?

Answer 6

• ‘Cash for work’ - clearing debris, repairing infrastructure and replanting mangroves for buffer against future storm surges.