Natural disasters: Risk reduction and Management

Natural disasters

Are adverse events that result from natural processes of Earth such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes, landslides, volcano eruptions, storm surges, tsunamis, and other geologic processes. They can cause massive damage to the environment, properties, health, and lives of people in the community.

El niño

It is a phenomenon caused by warm ocean surface water temperature that develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. Experience severe drought that causes economic problems, especially in agricultural countries.

La niña

The ocean surface water temperature cools and causes intense rainfall and floods.

Hazard

Threat, origin of a disaster

Risk

Probability of a disaster to strike

Disaster

Actual occurence/ phenomenon

Typhoon

typically forms over large bodies of relatively warm water.

Storm surge

Is the abnormal increase of water level in seashores when a storm nears coastal lines; It is caused by strong winds brought by the low pressure at the eye of the storm. These winds push seawater, which leads to its accumulation and abnormal increase in water level heading to the shores.

Floods

This may be caused by a strong typhoon, sudden and intense rain, or heavy and prolonged rainfall. Overflowing and clogging of canals, rivers, and various waterways can also cause it. Another thing that makes it worse is the denudation of forests because there are no more roots that absorb rainwater or block its flow.

Landslides

They may occur when there is heavy and continuous rainfall in high places, volcanic eruptions, or earthquakes. They are also brought about by quarrying. Another cause of it is the cutting of trees in forests, which destroy the roots that hold the soil.

Volcanic eruption

can cause severe loss of lives and properties.

Earthquakes

is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth's surface. They suddenly, without warning, and they can occur at any time of the year, day, or night.

Geohazards

Are naturally occurring geological phenomena that pose danger to people's lives, properties, infrastructure, and communities. These include landslides, flooding, and land subsidence.

Geo hazard mapping

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has generated geohazard maps to indicate which areas are prone to natural danger or natural disasters.