Natural disasters
-are catastrophic events with atmospheric, geological, and hydrological origins.
-UNISDR (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) defines it as natural process or phenomenon
that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social
and economic disruption, or environmental damage.
-Loss of life and property due to natural disasters like tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, tornadoes, earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions etc., is considerable.
Today, warning facilities are already available, and by mitigation measures, loss of lives and properties can be
minimized. The meteorological services around the world provide warnings to the public on some of the weather-
related natural disasters.
-In the Philippines, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA
and;
-the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or PHIVOLCS are government agencies that the public can
rely on. Since natural disasters cannot be prevented, taking proper long-term and short-term disaster mitigation
measures can minimize life and property loss.
Some common disasters known to occur in our country are:
A. Floods
Floods are defined as a relatively high flow of water discharged from the river and stream network, which sets the
riverbank margins to overflow and lead to the submerging of low land areas surrounding the riverbed. It is essentially
a physical phenomenon. Floods arise from abnormally heavy rains, dam failures, snow melts, and river blockages.
Flood disasters rank second only to droughts in the total number of people affected worldwide.
Causes of Flooding:
1. Heavy Rainfall - too much rain causes water to flow overland contributing to flooding. It is due to high rainfall over
a prolonged period.
2. Dam Breakage - dams are human-made structures used to hold water from flowing down from a raised ground. At
times, the walls can become weak and break because of overwhelming carriage capacity. Consequently, breakage of
the dam can cause extensive flooding in the neighboring areas.
3. River Overflows - rivers or streams can overflow their banks. It happens when the river or stream holds more
water upstream than usual, and it flows downstream to the neighboring low-lying areas.
4. Lakes and Coastal Flooding - lake and Coastal flooding occur when large storms or tsunamis cause the water body
to surge inland.
5. Clogged Drainages - clogged or lack of a proper drainage system is usually the cause of this type of flooding.
Effects of Flooding:
1. The force of flood, combined with high tide and erosion, damage residential and commercial buildings. It may even
be more destructive in villages lying in the coastal areas as flood sweeps away everything in its path. In mountainous
areas it is the chief cause of landslides.
2. Fishermen, local people, cattle, animals, and vegetation suffer a significant loss of life and property. Most of the
deaths are reported to be from drowning.
3. Supplies of fresh and potable water in all types and sources are nearly destroyed and contaminated. Hence,
affected areas may suffer the risk of waterborne diseases.
4. The destruction of food and fodder crops result in an acute food shortage.
5. Floods also make soil infertile, as the topsoil is lost due to erosional activity.
6. Floods are also known to preserve wetlands and recharge groundwater.
B. Earthquakes
An earthquake happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another (source: usgs.gov). The surface
where they slip is called the fault or fault plane. The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is
called the hypocenter. The location directly above it, on the surface of the earth, is called the epicenter.
Cause of Earthquakes:
Earthquakes are caused mainly by the imbalance in any part of the crust of the earth. Other causes of earthquakes
occur due to volcanic eruptions, faulting and folding, gaseous expansion, and contraction inside the earth.
Effects of Earthquakes:
1. Landslides - Landmasses with weak foundations cause landslides and debris falls, which damage settlements and
transport systems on the lower slope segments.
2. Damage to Life and property - Structures such as buildings, roads, rails, factories, dams, and bridges suffer colossal
damage from earthquakes, thus causing a heavy loss for both human life and property.
3. Damages to Government Infrastructure - the various cities and towns are worst affected due to a large
concentration of human population, commercial complexes, and residential areas.
4. Fire Hazard- Severe fire outbreaks in buildings, houses, and factories occur when earthquakes produce strong
oscillations.
5. Landmass Deformation - Due to a strong vibration produced by earthquakes, the shapes of landmasses are altered.
6. Flash Floods - Strong seismic events result in the damages of dams and cause severe flash floods.
7. Tsunamis - The seismic waves caused by the earthquakes traveling through seawater, generate high sea waves, and
cause significant loss of life and property.
C. Typhoons
Tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating warm air and water created from a low-pressure area. It always forms over
oceans where sea surface temperature is greater than 26 degrees Celsius. The term “Typhoon” is used when a
tropical cyclone is developed in the northwest Pacific basin.
Cause of Typhoon:
Typhoons happen when needed components are combined, which favors the development of typhoons. It is due to
warm ocean water, low atmospheric stability, and a moist atmosphere.
Effects of Typhoon:
1. Flooding - results in the drowning of people, plants, and animals.
2. Destruction of livestock - livestock and other domesticated animals suffer when exposed for a long time to violent
winds and torrential rains.
3. Soil erosion - excessive rain can cause plants to drown, and it also causes soil erosion.
4. Damages to buildings and infrastructure - the heavy and persistent rainfall and coastal storm surge that typhoons
bring can also have devastating effects making homes uninhabitable.
