Natural Hazards, Mitigation, and Adaptation, Earth and Life Science

Hydro meteorological Hazards

Objective
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to describe the various hazards that may happen in the
event of tropical cyclones, monsoons, floods, and ipo-ipo.

The Philippines is located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific. It experiences an average of 20
typhoons every year. It is highly susceptible to hazards brought by typhoons including floods, strong
winds, storm surges, and landslides.

A __________________________________ hazard is a condition or an event that may cause harm

to property and life as a result of a hydro meteorological process such as tropical cyclone, monsoon,
flood, and ipo-ipo.

1. Tropical Cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating low-pressure system that forms over tropical oceans. It is
called typhoon in the Philippines. The typhoons entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)
are given a local name by (PAGASA)
________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________. This agency monitors and
disseminates information about weather disturbances.

Tropical Cyclone Hazards

Tropical cyclones or typhoons bring about hazards that may cause adverse effects on organisms and
their environment.

A _________________ is an overflow of water over a normally dry land. Due to heavy rainfall brought by
a typhoon, the water levels in dams and rivers increase. The water then overflows to nearby land areas.
A flood can damage houses, buildings, and bridges. Flash flood, which is a sudden, rapid flooding, may
cause drowning and fatal injuries.

A ______________________________________ is often brought by a typhoon. It can damage or

destroy vehicles, buildings, bridges, fields, and plantations.

A __________________ is the movement of a mass of rocks, soil, and debris down a slope. It can be
triggered by heavy rainfall.

A _______________________ is an abnormal rise of sea water due to a typhoon. It is created when

water is being pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds moving in a circular manner. It ravages
beaches and coastal areas.
Example
Super Typhoon Yolanda (International name Haiyan) was one of the most powerful typhoons ever
recorded. It caused massive destruction in the Philippines on November 9, 2013. Strong winds,
heavy rainfall, and storm surges caused widespread damage to properties and loss of lives. About
6000 people died and 28 000 were injured because of the typhoon.

2. Monsoon
A ________________ is a seasonal prevailing wind in the South and Southeast Asia. It brings a
different kind of weather depending on where it comes from.

When it blows from the southwest between _____________________, it brings rainy weather. When
it blows from the northeast between _____________________________, it brings dry weather. In
the Philippines, the southwest monsoon brings about heavy rainfall.

Southwest Monsoon Hazards

A monsoon may bring about the same hazards caused by a typhoon. It may cause heavy rainfall,
strong wind, landslide, and flood.

 Heavy rainfall and strong wind can damage residential and industrial buildings. It can also
destroy agricultural crops.
 A landslide may happen when the soil becomes saturated with water due to heavy rainfall.
The soil and rocks from the slope can move down and destroy many properties along the
way.
 A flood may occur due to heavy rainfall that saturates the soil and causes an overflow of
water to dry land areas.

Example
On August 1 to 8, 2012, the southwest monsoon (Habagat) caused typhoon-like damage in Metro
Manila and nearby provinces. Heavy rainfall caused the Marikina River to overflow, triggered a
landslide, and caused the collapse of roads and bridges. The floods and rain left 95 people dead and
damaged 8000 houses.

3. Ipo-ipo
An ipo-ipo (tornado) is a violently spinning wind on land that appears like a funnel-shaped cloud. It
can destroy large buildings, uproot trees, and hurl vehicles.

Ipo-Ipo Hazard
The strong whirling wind can lift and hurl objects it encounters no matter how heavy the object is.
It causes destruction of houses, buildings, dams, and bridges. The lifted objects may also cause
injuries and death upon impact.