Weather And Climate Kq3 Case Studies

Question 1

What are tropical cyclones

Answer 1

Tropic cyclones are weather systems formed over warm oceans in the tropics. The size of the cyclone ranges from 150-1000km in diameter.

Question 2

Storm surges

Answer 2

It is sudden rise of sea level in which water is piled up against the coast beyond normal conditions at high tides.
Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 had storm surges from 5-6m above normal tide level in the Philippines. It caused widespread devastation in Tacloban with many building destroyed. Many ppl in the coast and city had been caught off guard by the fast rising water causing them to drown.

Question 3

Wind damage

Answer 3

Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 sustained wind speeds over 150km/h that destroyed many homes and buildings leaving 1.9 million ppl homeless and 6 million displaced. Thousands of trees were uprooted leading to the loss of habitat and effects on wildlife.

Question 4

Torrential rain

Answer 4

During Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, some areas experienced up to 280mm of rainfall under 12 hours. This caused a lot of flooding of rice, corn and sugar cane fields which led to the destruction of 71,000 ha of farmland and contributed to an economic loss of 6 billion dollars

Question 5

Physical impacts of tropical cyclones

Answer 5

Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 destroyed the main airport in Tacloban City, destroyed many roads and hence slowed down the delivery of aid to many of the worst affected areas. 1.6 million ppl were left homeless by the typhoon.

Question 6

Economic impacts of tropical cyclones

Answer 6

Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 had an economic impact of around 6 billion dollars. 6 million workers lost their source of income.
71000 Ha of Farmland was also lost.

Question 7

Social impacts of tropical cyclones

Answer 7

Over 7000 ppl were killed in typhoon Haiyan with 1.9 million ppl being left homeless and having to live in cramped relief shelters. After typhoon Haiyan in2013, there was a outbreak of diseases due to lack of proper sanitation, water, food and medication.
Widespread looting also took place in tacloban as ppl broke into shops and warehouses to get needed supplies.

Question 8

Emergency action: evacuation of ppl

Answer 8

Community cyclone shelters in Bangladesh are built near homes of people to protect them from tropical cyclone and provide them with a place to live temporarily.

Question 9

Emergency action: provision of emergency aid

Answer 9

After typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the UK government provided affected residents with food packages, shelter and hygiene kits.

Question 10

Mitigation measures: land use control

Answer 10

In the Philippines, after typhoon Haiyan, the Philippines govt mandated a no dwelling zone up to 40m from the high water mark
Limitation: land use controls enforced after the squatter settlements were built. Hence, may residents are reluctant to move out and it would be costly for the govt to buy back the land and convert them into recreational areas. The plan in the Philippines would involve the relocation of 35000 ppl and cost US134 million dollars.

Question 11

Mitigation measures: floodplain management.

Answer 11

In Cairns Regional Council, Queensland, Australia has a floodplain management plan based on models of storm surges. The plan shows areas of highest, high and moderate risk of flooding and indicates the primary evacuation routes or residents in case of an approaching cyclone.
During Cyclone Yasi in 2011, the flooding in The Central Business District of Cairns was limited and damage to property was reduced due to storm water drains.
The construction of storm water drains are expensive and Many developing countries are unable to afford them.