Module 7:

Hydrometeorological
Hazards
The geographic location of the Philippines does not only pose geological threats but also
hydrometeorological hazards. The Philippines is in the Northern Hemisphere, which is above the
equator. The area near the equator, known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), is where
trade winds meet. Trade winds flow in opposite directions and this is the reason that strong swirling
of winds happens.
Typhoons and hurricanes develop from cyclones. Typhoons develop from cyclones
in the east, whereas hurricanes develop from cyclones in the west.
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The geographic location of the Philippines
suggest not just possible geological hazards but
also hydrometeorological hazards from the
strong swirling of winds due to its proximity to
the intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
Hydrometeorological Hazards

Hydrometeorological Hazards are dangers associated with the natural

processes or phenomena involved in the transfer of water and energy
between the land surface and the lower atmosphere. The energy and water
release from one area to another causes impacts that may be challenging
to communities living within the vicinity of the occurrence. Among the
hazards associated with these are typhoons, thunderstorms, flash floods,
floods, storm surges, tornadoes, El Nino, and La Nina.
Types of Hydrometeorological Hazards

Typhoon
Typhoons, or bagyo in Filipino, are intense circulating winds with heavy rain over tropical Waters
and land. Typhoons are actually tropical cyclones whose winds have reached more than 118
kilometers per hour, which is why it is described as “intense.” Depending on the Speed of the wind,
Tropical cyclones are recently classified as follows:

֎ Tropical Depression (TD): up to 61 kph

֎ Tropical Storm (TS): 62 to 88 kph
֎ Severe Tropical Storm (STS): 89 to 117 kph
֎ Typhoon (TY): 118 to 220
֎ Super Typhoon (STY): exceeding 220 kph
In some cases, winds do not develop and just naturally dissipate before
reaching land. But if typhoons make a landfall, they usually lose their energy.
The large mass of land, especially terrains characterized by mountains and
slopes, breaks up the pressure of the cyclone. Typhoons also weaken when
they enter a cooler and drier environment because they come from warm,
moist tropical air.

PAGASA monitors the behaviour of the cyclones as they approach Philippine territory.
There are now five public storm warning signals (PSWS) established by PAGASA.
 PAGASA Public Storm Warning Signal System
Atmospheric Conditions Impact of the Winds Precautionary Measures
Public Storm Signal No. 1
• A tropical cyclone will affect an • Twigs and branches of small trees • Classes in preschool are suspended
area. may be broken. • When the tropical cyclone intensifies
• Winds of 30-60 kph are expected. • Some banana plants may be titled and moves closer, this warning
• Intermittent rains may be expected or uprooted. signal number may be upgraded.

in at 36 hours. (When the tropical • Some houses of very light materials • The waves on coastal waters may

cyclone develops very close to an may be partially unroofed. gradually develop and swell.

area. A shorter lead time of the • Only very light or no damage may • The people are advised to listen to

occurrence of the winds will be be sustained by areas affected. the latest severe weather bulletin

specified in the warning bulletin) • Rice crops in flowering stage may issued by PAGASA every six hours.
• Business may be carried out as
suffer significant damage.
usual except when floods occur.
• Disaster preparedness units are
activated to alert status.
 Atmospheric Conditions Impact of the Winds Precautionary Measures
Public Storm Signal No. 2
• A tropical cyclone will affect an • Some coconut trees may tilt; some • Classes in the primary and
area. of them may break. secondary levels of education are
• Winds of greater than 60 kph and • Few big trees may be uprooted. suspended.
up to 100 kph may be expected in • Many banana plants may be • The sea and coastal wsters are

at least 24 hours. downed. dangerous to small sea craft.

• Rice and corn crops may be • Special attention should be given to

affected. the latest position, direction and

• A large number of houses made of movement speed, and intensity of

light materials may be unroofed. the storm as it moves toward an

area.
• Old galvanized iron roofing may be
• The public especially people
peeled off.
traveling by sea and air are
• In general, the winds may bring
cautioned
light to moderate damage to the
• Outdoor activities of children should
exposed communities.
be postponed.
 Atmospheric Conditions Impact of the Winds Precautionary Measures

• Secure properties before the signal

is upgraded.
• Disaster preparedness
agencies/organizations are in action
to alert their communities.

Public Storm Signal No. 3

• A tropical cyclone will affect an • Many coconut trees may be broken • All classes up to the tertiary level of
area. or destroyed. education are suspended.
• Winds of greater than 100 kph-185 • Almost all banana plants may be • The weather condition is dangerous
kph may be expected in at least 18 downed and a large number of trees to the communities affected.
hours. may be uprooted. • The sea and coastal waters will be
• Rice and corn crops may suffer very dangerous to all sea craft.
heavy losses. • Travel is very risky especially by air
• Majority of light material houses and sea.
may be unroofed or destroyed.
 Precautionary Measures
.

• People are advised to seek shelter in strong • When the eye of the typhoon hits the
buildings, evacuate low-lying areas, and stay community, do not venture away from the
away from the coasts and riverbanks. safe shelter because after one to two hours,
• Watch out for the passage of the eye of the the worst weather will resume, with the very
typhoon indicated by a sudden occurrence of strong winds coming from the north.
fair weather immediately after very bad • Classes in all levels should be suspended .
weather, with very strong winds coming
generally from the north.
 Atmospheric Conditions Impact of the Winds Precautionary Measures

Public Storm Signal No. 4

• A very intense typhoon will affect • Coconut plantations may suffer • All schools are closed and some
the area. extensive damage. government and private agencies
• Very strong winds of more than 185 • Many large trees may be uprooted. may be suspended.
kph but less than may be expected • Rice and corn plantation may suffer • The situation is potentially very

in at least may be expected in at severe losses. destructive to the community.

least 12 hours. • Most residential and institutional • All travels and outdoor activities

buildings of mixed construction should be cancelled.

may be severely damaged. • Evacuation to safer shelter should

• Electrical power distribution and have been completed.

• The area is very likely to be hit
communication services may be
directly by the eye of the typhoon.
severely disrupted.
• Depending on the eye’s diameter
• Damage to affected communities
and movement speed, this improved
can be very heavy.
weather may last for an hour or two.
 Precautionary Measures
.

• As the eye of the typhoon approaches, the • As the eye moves out of the area, weather
weather will worsen continuously, with winds conditions will worsen, with strong winds
increasing to its strongest coming generally generally coming from the south.
from the south. • The disaster coordinating councils concerned
• A sudden improvement of the weather with and other disaster response organizations at
light winds will be experienced, which means this time should be fully responding to
the area is under the eye of the typhoon. emergencies.
 Atmospheric Conditions Impact of the Winds Precautionary Measures
Public Storm Signal No. 5
• Maximum sustained winds of more • In Very strong winds can bring very • No school or business should be in
than 220 kph may be experienced heavy to widespread damage in operation.
within 12 hours. affected areas. • The situation is very destructive to
• Coastal areas may experience the community.

surges in ocean waters. • Evacuation to safer shelters should

have been completed.
• The disaster coordinating councils
concerned and other disaster
response organizations such as Red
Cross are at full alert to respond
emergencies.
Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm, also known as electrical storm, is a storm characterized by heavy rain
with the presence of thunder and lightning. Thunderstorms may not have strong winds in
contrast with typhoons. Thunderstorms happen because there is an uneven distribution of
heat in the air and on land.

The hazard in thunderstorms is associated with the

following.

• Heavy Rainfall can lead to flooding

• Lightning that can electrocute humans and
livestock and damage electrical facilities;
• Air Turbulence which can displaced or
disorient a flying aircraft; and
• Fire that can burn buildings and vegetation.
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As of 2014, PAGASA identifies the following places in the Philippines as
highly susceptible to flooding:

1. Pampanga 6. Bulacan
2. Nueva Ecija 7. Metro Manila
3. Pangasinan 8. North Cotabato
4. Tarlac 9. Oriental Mindoro
5. Maguindanao 10. Ilocos Norte
Flood
A flood is the presence of
excessive water on a supposedly
dry land. It can be caused by
continuous heavy rain or poor
drainage. Usually, low-lying areas
are prone to flooding and also
flooding becomes a problem in a
densely populated area because of
limited spaces.
Crowding of structures and people may prevent poor draining leading to
more serious problems such as the following:

• Disruption of commercial and industrial operations leading to loss of

income
• Stand-still traffic causing paralysis in network transportation and
communication
• Displacement of affected homes and families
• Damaged properties resulting from corrosion and water intrusion
• Waterborne disease such as leptospirosis and typhoid fever
Flash Flood
A flash flood is a rapid flow of water on
saturated soil or dry soil or any foundation
that has poor absorption capability. This
usually takes places in slopes such as
mountains, volcanoes, and waterways
where the peak of maximum force takes
downstream. Flash floods are usually
caused by extensive rainfall but can also
be induced by man-made structures such
as water overflows from a dam. Low-lying
areas or those along the slopes are most
prone to flash floods. The, intensity, speed,
and volume of water gushing down the
slopes can drown people and damage the
structures along its path.
Storm Surges
A storm surges is an abnormal rise in coastal waters due to a massive force from the sea
or from the air above the sea. Storm surges can be caused by a strong typhoon or a sea
quake. Storm surges can instantly flood coastal areas. Storm surges can also be aggravated
by the occurrence of high tide.

Tornado and Whirlwind

A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that is in contact with the air and land its
rotational movement is so violent that it can pick up objects from the ground and sling them
away at far places. According to PAGASA (2011), an average of 12-24 tornadoes hit the
country every year, mostly occurring in flat terrains such as Mindanao, Central Luzon,
especially Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. Tornadoes form when there are strong winds and low
thunderstorm clouds. Tornadoes belong to the major category of whirlwinds that have bigger
and stronger cyclonic winds. However, in most cases, tornadoes that occur in the country
dissipate or are too weak to do any major damage.
Temperature Changes in Global Climate System

El Nino and La Nina are both natural parts of the global climate systems. These events
occur in the Pacific Ocean when the waters and the atmosphere above it deviate from their
normal temperature. El Nino is usually associated with the warming of the central and the
tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, whereas La Nina would have the exact opposite which
is the cooling of the same areas in a different season.
El Niño
The El Nino Phenomenon refers to the large-scale warming of the ocean and
atmosphere across the central and east east-central Equatorial Pacific. This event begins
with the heating up of the Pacific Ocean near the equator.
La Niña
La Nina begins in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean, much similar to the location of El
Nina. The sea surface temperatures during this period become lower by 3-5 degrees Celsius.
Cyclones formed during this time shift westward going to the direction of China. In effect, the
Philippines is affected by the excessive rainfall and cold temperatures.
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During El Nino, the atmosphere becomes unusually
humid, dry, and warm, inducing drought for long
periods of time. On the other hand, La Nina is
characterized by excessive rainfall and cold
temperatures.
Tools for Monitoring Hydrometeorological Hazards

Weather observation stations use various instruments to monitor and gather data on
hydrometeorological hazards. Some of these instruments are the following:

Doppler radar – used to measure important weather parameters such as

amount of rainfall and direction, speed, and intensity of winds. These data
are used to forecast weather conditions and upcoming typhoon weeks
before the occurrence.

Automated rain gauge - usually installed in telecommunication cell sites to

observe and locate areas with excessive amount of rainfall. This is used to
detect for possible flooding and flash floods.
Doppler Radar Automated Rain Gauge
Natural Signs of Impending Hydrometeorological
Hazards

Most of the hydrometeorological hazards can be heard seconds before they reach your
area. Rumbling sounds usually indicate the coming of a tornado, flash floods, and storm
surges. For the other atmospheric hazards such as typhoons, tornadoes, and
thunderstorms, all you need is a strategic location, preferably a higher elevated area, and
knowledge of geographical directions.

Clouds are also a good indicator of a weather disturbance. Try standing on the roof deck
of a building and view the skyline of your city. Observe the behavior of clouds. They indicate
certain weather events. If a typhoon is coming, the direction of cloud movement shows the
destination of an upcoming typhoon. The color, form, and size of clouds, on the other hand,
can estimate the magnitude of an incoming rain and also if it may become a typhoon or a
thunderstorm. The darker and heavier the clouds are, the stronger and heavier the rain will
be. In some areas, this characteristic of clouds may indicate possible flooding.
Appropriate Measures BEFORE, DURING, and
AFTER Hydrometeorological Hazards

Before Any Hydrometeorological Hazard

1. Store enough food, drinking water, and medicine. Foods that require little or no preparation
and do not easily spoil are ideal.
2. Have a working flashlight, spare batteries, candles, and matches ready. Electric power may
be cut off by the hazard or by the authorities as a safety precaution.
3. Meet with all members of your family and make plans for evacuation to a higher or safer
ground especially if you live in a low-lying area or near a coast, river, or creek.
4. Reinforce the roofs, windows, and structural supports or foundations of your house to
withstand strong winds or water current. Make sure your roofs are securely held, and that
there are no leaks.
5. Transfer valuables, appliances, and furniture to a higher ground especially if your place is
flood-prone.
6. Participate in cleanup activities to clear waterways such as canals, ditches, creeks,
streams, and rivers of wastes or garbage.
7. Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that may fall and can be carried away by water
current.
During Any Hydrometeorological Hazard

1. If there is no advice to evacuate, stay indoors. Keep calm and do not go to isolated or
open areas .
2. Listen to weather updates by PAGASA and advisories by the NDRRMC. If the electricity is
out, use battery-powered radios.
3. If you see any signs of water rising, unplug any electrical equipment and switch off the
main circuit breaker or fuse box.
4. Move to a safer ground or evacuate as advised by local authorities. Wear protective
clothes as you move to the evacuation site.
5. Bring basic necessities such as food, drinking water, extra clothes, and medicines to the
evacuation site.
6. Beware of open electrical cables that can electrocute when these come in contact with
water. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
7. Do not go near windows and doors.
After Any Hydrometeorological Hazard

1. Wait for any announcements from local authorities as to whether it is safe to return
home or not. Listen to weather updates or advisories from local authorities. Get
information on which areas are still not passable or accessible and avoid going to these
places until cleared of any obstructions.
2. Report fallen power lines or cracked roads to local authorities.
3. Check your house for any damage and do needed repairs immediately. If your house
is heavily damaged, leave the area immediately. Do not go back until it has been
examined and declared safe by a professional engineer or architect.
4. Watch out for live wires or any electrical outlet immersed in water. Have a licensed
electrician or a knowledgeable person inspect electrical connections and appliances
before you use them.
5. Boil water before drinking as it may be contaminated.