Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction: Reviewer Summary

Landslides

The movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope due to gravity, often triggered by rain, earthquakes, or human activities.

Types of Landslides: Soil Creep

Slow movement, difficult to notice.

Types of Landslides: Slumping

Faster movement with land slipping down.

Types of Landslides: Debris Flow

Landslide of water-saturated soil and rock.

Types of Landslides: Rock Fall

Sudden slides caused by loosened rocks.

Sinkholes

Depressions or holes in the ground formed by the collapse of the surface layer due to water erosion.

Types of Sinkholes: Cover Collapse Sinkholes

Sudden collapse due to clay-rich soils.

Types of Sinkholes: Cover Subsidence Sinkholes

Gradual formation in sandy soil.

Types of Sinkholes: Solution Sinkholes

Slow development due to dissolving limestone.

Natural Causes of Landslides

o Climate (heavy rain saturates soil)

o Earthquakes (ground shaking triggers movement)

o Weathering (rock deterioration weakens stability)

o Erosion (removal of soil by water, wind, etc.)

o Volcanoes (eruptions cause ground instability)

o Forest Fires (destroys plant roots holdin

Human-Induced Landslides

o Mining (blasting weakens soil)

o Deforestation (removal of tree roots destabilizes land)

o Construction (modifying water drainage can weaken soil)

Causes of Sinkholes

o Water dissolving underground rocks

o Lowering of groundwater levels

o Changing groundwater flow

o Extreme weather conditions (droughts or heavy rains)

Signs of an Impending Landslide:

• Sudden appearance of cracks in the ground or roads

• Leaning trees, poles, or fences

• Tilting buildings, cracked foundations

• Unusual sounds (rumbling or cracking)

• Increase in creek water levels and turbidity

Signs of an Impending Sinkhole:

• Cracks in walls, floors, or pavement

• Depressions forming in the ground

• Doors/windows suddenly becoming difficult to open

• Leaning structures such as trees and fence posts

• Sudden appearance of a hole in the ground

Hydrometeorological Hazards

Atmospheric, hydrological, or oceanographic processes that may cause damage or loss of life.

Typhoon (Tropical Cyclone)

Intense circular storms forming over warm tropical waters.

Thunderstorms

Storms with lightning, thunder, and strong winds.

Flash Floods

Sudden, high-intensity flooding caused by heavy rains.

Flooding

Overflow of water submerging land areas.

Storm Surge

Abnormal rise in seawater during storms.

El Niño & La Niña

Climatic phenomena affecting weather patterns worldwide.

Warning Signs of Hydrometeorological Hazards
A. Typhoon (Tropical Cyclone)

• 96 hours before landfall: Ocean swells increase.

• 72 hours before landfall: Swell height increases to 2m.

• 48 hours before landfall: Skies clear up, but ocean swell reaches 3m.

• 36 hours before landfall: Barometric pressure drops, first storm clouds appear.

• 24 hours before landfall: Strong winds and heavy rains begin, evacuation should be completed.

• 1 hour before landfall: Torrential rains, storm surges, and extreme winds occur.

Warning Signs of Hydrometeorological Hazards
B. Thunderstorm

• Darkening sky: Thick, rolling clouds block sunlight.

• Lightning: Can strike before rain starts.

• Sudden gusts of wind: Indicates rapid air movement from storm formation.

Warning Signs of Hydrometeorological Hazards
C. Flash Floods & Flooding

• Heavy rain within 6 hours: Possible flash floods.

• Slow-moving storms over the same area: Increased flood risk.

• Overflowing rivers and dam failures: Major flooding events.

Warning Signs of Hydrometeorological Hazards
D. Storm Surge

• Strong winds pushing seawater inland

• Large waves observed near the coast

• High tide coinciding with a storm

Warning Signs of Hydrometeorological Hazards
E. El Niño & La Niña

• El Niño: Unusually warm waters in the Pacific, causing droughts in some areas and heavy rains in others.

• La Niña: Unusually cold waters in the Pacific, leading to stronger storms and more rainfall.

Flood Prone Areas:

Indicated by hazard maps using color codes to show risks.

Typhoon Risk Areas:

Northern and Eastern Philippines (e.g., Cagayan, Albay, Samar).

El Niño Risk Areas:

Mindanao (e.g., Bukidnon, Davao del Norte).

Thermometer

Measures hotness/coldness.

Thermograph

Records continuous temperature changes.

Barometer

Measures air pressure.

Barograph

Records pressure changes.

Sling Psychrometer

Measures relative humidity.

Hygrometer

Measures moisture in the air.

Rain Gauge

Measures rainfall.

Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

Records rainfall electronically.

Ceiling Light Projector

Measures cloud height.

Ceiling Balloon

Used for cloud altitude measurement.

Fire Hazards

Fire hazards include live flames, sparks, hot objects, and chemicals that can ignite or intensify fires.

The Fire Triangle

1. Heat – Provides the necessary temperature for ignition.

2. Fuel – Any combustible material that sustains the fire.

3. Oxygen – An oxidizing agent that feeds the fire.

Fire Prevention:

Removing any one element (heat, fuel, or oxygen) will prevent or extinguish a fire.

• Example:

o Water removes heat.

o Fire blankets remove oxygen.

o Turning off gas stoves removes fuel.

Ignition (Phases of Fire)

Fire starts when heat, oxygen, and fuel combine.

Piloted ignition:

Requires an external spark.

Auto-ignition:

Combustion occurs without a spark.

Growth (Phases of Fire)

Fire expands, oxygen depletes, and temperature rises (300°C - 465°C).

Fully Developed (Phases of Fire)

All fuel is burning; fire spreads and becomes extremely hot.

Decay (Phases of Fire)

Fire diminishes due to a lack of fuel or oxygen.

Class A (Classes of Fire)

Ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, plastic).

Class B (Classes of Fire)

Flammable liquids and gases (gasoline, propane).

Class C (Classes of Fire)

Electrical fires (appliances, wiring).

Class D (Classes of Fire)

Combustible metals (magnesium, aluminum).

Class K (Classes of Fire)

Cooking oils and grease (vegetable oil, animal fats).

Electrical issues: (Common Fire Hazards)

Faulty wiring, neglected appliances, electrical machinery.

Flammable materials: (Common Fire Hazards)

LPG leaks, chemicals, spontaneous combustion.

Open flames: (Common Fire Hazards)

Candles, torches, unattended stoves, pyrotechnics.

Human negligence: (Common Fire Hazards)

Cigarette butts, incendiary devices, bomb explosions.

Rescue

Help people in immediate danger.

Alarm

Activate the fire alarm and call emergency services.

Contain

Close doors and windows to prevent fire spread.

Extinguish

Use the appropriate fire extinguisher if safe to do so.

Relocate

Move to a safe location using designated exits.

Secure

Retrieve important items like identification and money if possible.

Fire Emergency and Evacuation Plan (FEEP)

1. Fire evacuation strategy 2. Action steps when discovering a fire 3. Identifying escape routes 4. Firefighting equipment locations 5. Training and drills for emergency preparedness