Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction Study Notes

DISASTER READINESS AND RISK REDUCTION

HAZARD VS. DISASTER VS. RISK

  • Definitions:

    • Hazard: A process, phenomenon, or human activity that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, social and economic disruption, or environmental degradation.

    • Source: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

    • Disaster: A serious disruption that causes significant damage or harm, requiring external assistance.

    • Risk: The potential for loss or damage when a hazard interacts with a vulnerable community or system.

TYPES OF HAZARDS

  1. Biological Hazard

    • Origin: Organic or conveyed by biological vectors.

    • Examples:

      • Pathogenic microorganisms, toxins, and bioactive substances.

      • Bacteria, viruses, parasites, venomous wildlife, poisonous plants, and disease-carrying insects (e.g., mosquitoes).

  2. Environmental Hazard

    • Includes:

      • Soil degradation

      • Deforestation

      • Loss of biodiversity

      • Salinization

      • Sea-level rise

  3. Geological Hazard

    • Includes:

      • Earthquakes

      • Volcanic activity

      • Mass movements (landslides, rockslides, surface collapses)

      • Debris flows and mudflows

  4. Hydrometeorological Hazard

    • Includes:

      • Tropical cyclones (typhoons and hurricanes)

      • Floods (including flash floods)

      • Drought

      • Heatwaves and cold spells

      • Coastal storm surges

  5. Technological Hazard

    • Includes:

      • Industrial pollution

      • Nuclear radiation

      • Toxic wastes

      • Dam failures

      • Transport accidents (factory explosions, fires, chemical spills)

ETYMOLOGY OF DISASTER

  • The term disaster originates from the French word désastre, which combines des (bad) and aster (star), indicating a misfortune believed to be caused by unfavorable celestial events.

IMPORTANCE OF DISASTER READINESS AND RISK REDUCTION (DRRR)

  • Overview of hazards experienced by schools:

    • Total number of public schools: 46,603

    • Incidence of hazards over five (5) years:

      • Typhoon: 33,698 reports

      • Flood: 11,938 reports

      • Earthquakes: 5,929 reports

      • Landslide: 1,656 reports

      • Volcanic eruption: 85 reports

      • Armed conflict: 1,740 reports

      • Fire: 162 reports

    • Source: DepEd, EBEIS SY 2009/10 to SY 2013/14.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DepEd) DISASTER READINESS AND RISK REDUCTION ISSUANCES

  • Documented orders promoting disaster readiness:

    • DepEd Order 27 s. 2015: Promoting Family Earthquake Preparedness.

    • DepEd Order 23, s. 2015: Student-led School Watching and Hazard Mapping.

    • DepEd Order 21, s. 2015: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Coordination and Information Management Protocol.

    • DepEd Order No. 82, s. 2010: Related Implementing Guidelines On Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCADRR) in School Levels.

    • DepEd Order 55 s. 2007: Mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction in the School System.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10121

  • Also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (DRRM Act).

FOCUS OF DRRM

  • Emphasis on applying scientific knowledge to solve practical problems in a physical environment.

  • Designed to bridge the gap between theoretical science and daily living.

HAZARDS, RISKS, and PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

  • Various types of hazards require specific risk assessments and proposed solutions tailored to each scenario.

EARTHQUAKE

  • Features of earthquakes include:

    • Foreshock: A smaller earthquake before the main shock.

    • Main shock: The most powerful moment of the earthquake.

    • Aftershock: Smaller earthquakes following the main event.

    • Important Note: Movement of the ground can occur due to volcanic eruptions or tectonic movement.

SEISMOLOGY

  • Influence of seismology in understanding earthquakes.

  • Major organizations:

    • PAG-ASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration).

    • PHIVOLCS (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology).

OROGENY, OROLOGY, VOLCANOLOGY, PETROLOGY, MINERALOGY

  • Key geological disciplines related to earthquake studies:

    • Orogeny: The process of mountain formation.

    • Orology: The study of mountains.

    • Volcanology: The study of volcanoes.

    • Petrology: The study of rocks.

    • Mineralogy: The study of minerals.

CONVECTION WITHIN THE EARTH'S MANTLE

  • Explanation of how heat transfer through convection affects tectonic plates:

    • Warm air rises and cool air sinks in a convection cell in the mantle.

    • Heat source for mantle convection is the core.

EARTHQUAKE MEASUREMENTS

  • Magnitude: Measurement of the energy released by an earthquake.

    • Richter Scale: A scale for measuring the magnitude of earthquakes.

  • Intensity: The damage produced and the reaction of people during an earthquake.

    • Mercalli Intensity Scale: Scale that measures earthquake intensity based on observed effects.

TYPES OF WAVES PRODUCED BY EARTHQUAKES

  1. Body Waves: Travel underground.

    • P wave (Primary wave): A longitudinal wave that compresses and expands material.

    • S wave (Secondary wave): A transverse wave that moves perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.

  2. Surface Waves: Travel along the surface of the Earth.

    • Love Wave: Named after A.E.H. Love, it moves side to side.

    • Rayleigh Wave: Named after Lord Rayleigh, it rolls along the surface, producing both vertical and horizontal motion.

LOCALIZATION OF EARTHQUAKE EFFECTS

  • Mapping of active faults and their effects on areas throughout the Philippines.

  • Identification of upthrown and downthrown areas related to fault lines and geological movements.

EFFECTS OF EARTHQUAKE

Primary Effects

  • Ground shaking, structural damage, potential for loss of life, etc.

Secondary Effects

  • Possible landslides, tsunamis, and other related disasters caused by the initial earthquake.

SOIL EFFECTS DURING EARTHQUAKES

  • Stable soil can become liquefied

  • Structures built on unstable soil can tilt, sink, or collapse.

WEATHER

  • Definition and attributes of weather.

TYPES OF WEATHER

  • Fine Weather: Clear skies and no rain.

  • Fair Weather: Clouds present but primarily sunny.

  • Rainy Weather: Rain persists for most of the day.

  • Stormy Weather: Characterized by strong winds and significant rain.

WEATHER MEASUREMENTS

  • Instruments used to observe weather:

    • Thermometer: Measures temperature.

    • Barometer: Measures atmospheric pressure.

    • Anemometer: Measures wind speed.

    • Hygrometer: Measures humidity.

WEATHER DISTURBANCES

  • Discussion of disturbances that affect weather patterns such as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and El Niño phenomena.

PREVAILING WIND SYSTEMS

  • Monsoons: Seasonal winds that change direction with the seasons.

    • AMIHAN (Northeast Monsoon): November-February

    • HABAGAT (Southwest Monsoon): June-October.

CLIMATIC DATA

  • Annual average rainfall in the Philippines: 965 - 4,064 mm.

  • Annual average temperature: 27°C.

DISASTERS AND RESPONSE TO WEATHER EVENTS

  • Guidelines on cancellation or suspension of classes in the event of natural disasters:

    • Typhoon: Classes cancelled when signals are issued by PAGASA.

    • Heavy Rainfalls: Auto cancellation based on rainfall warnings.

    • Floods: Similar auto cancellation based on flood warnings issued by PAGASA.

STORM WARNING SYSTEM OF PAGASA

  • Signal No. 1: Winds of 30 to 60 kph in the next 24 hours.

  • Signal No. 2: Winds of 61 to 120 kph in the next 24 hours.

  • Signal No. 3: Winds of 121 to 170 kph in the next 18 hours.

  • Signal No. 4: Winds of 171 to 220 kph in the next 12 hours.

  • Signal No. 5: Winds exceeding 220 kph in the next 12 hours.

  • Classification of tropical cyclones based on wind strength, ranging from tropical depression to super typhoon.

SAFETY MEASURES DURING LIGHTNING

  • Recommended safe positions include lying flat or squatting low with hands covering the head to protect against lightning strikes.