What do Hurricane Allen, Hurricane Camille, Super Typhoon Haiyan, and Super Typhoon Tip all have in common? They were all storms of great magnitude that killed tens of thousands of people. Because of their massive size and structure, they were considered as the four most powerful storms in recorded history. But have you ever wondered how these storms are formed or how they can bring so much destruction to a certain area?
There are three distinct levels of progression for a storm to become a hurricane. The first stage will be a tropical disturbance, then a tropical depression and finally a tropical storm. Once the storm's winds reach 74 mph, it will then be classified as a hurricane and will now be categorized from numbers 1-5.
Depending on where they occur, people call these storms by other names. For example, in the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific they are called "hurricanes." In the Western North Pacific they are known as a "typhoon," while in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean they are referred to as "cyclones." In meteorological terms, it is known as a "tropical cyclone" and they are all formed the same way.
In an article entitled Hurricane and Typhoon by Richard Anthes, he explained how tropical cyclones are formed. He said and I quote, "The primary energy source for a tropical cyclone is the latent heat released when water vapor condenses... tropical cyclones, therefore, form only over oceans with water temperatures of at least 27° C (80° F)." Cyclones are also formed from simple thunderstorms. These type of storms can produce dangerous winds, heavy to torrential rains and massive flooding which may result in tremendous loss of property and lives in the areas affected.
In the recent years, the Philippines was pondered by powerful storms that were beyond our capacity to handle. A lot of people have made their conclusions that we are now experiencing the effects of global warming or climate change. In an article by rappler.com entitled "Stop this climate crisis madness," they posted the speech of Philippine Climate Change Commissioner, Naderev Sano, at the United Nations climate summit in Warsaw, Poland. Sano said and I quote, "Typhoons such as Haiyan and its impacts represent a sobering reminder to the international community that we cannot afford to delay climate action." The world will see more destruction like of Katrina and Haiyan. These type of disasters, though, can be predicted. While it may not get any better, this will give us an idea and enough time to prepare more efficiently for storms of this magnitude. We cannot say, "we didn't know."
Tropical cyclones are inevitable especially due to the geographical location of our country, but that is not an excuse for us not to be aware of the reality that we are now living in a world prone to natural disasters. Yes, we cannot stop climate change, but we can do something to reduce its effects. The next generation needs us. What will their world be like by then if we do not act now? Let us not be ignorant and start doing our part.
On November 8, 2013, one of the world's strongest typhoon struck the Philippines. I remember being at school during that time when they suddenly announced that classes were suspended. I felt bad and complained of having to head home early since the weather was still fine anyway and the storm's path was not forecasted to hit Metro Manila. Nothing could prepare me with the next news and images I saw that day.
Super Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan, considered to be more than a category 5 typhoon, hovered past the Central part of the Philippines. With winds of up to 300 km/h, Yolanda destroyed everything on it's path. Coliseums, mansions, government offices, homes, hotels, schools etc. you name it, nothing was left standing. Everything was pulverized from the inside out. Chaos and panic was everywhere. Dead bodies lying on the streets or floating along the coastlines were the first things seen after the storm. People began looting different establishments to look for food to eat to ease the hunger they were experiencing. While watching the news, I began to think of what went wrong. Was our government really ready for this typhoon? Could we have reduced the number of casualties? What happened to the evacuation centers that were supposed to safeguard the people?
In an article by Luci Lizares entitled Lessons from Yolanda from the site sunstar.com.ph, Ms. Lizares gave her insight/suggestion. She said and I quote, "
..if we are to be really ready, then each purok and barangay should be equipped with a structure that can withstand all the ingredients of a perfect tropical cyclone. I do not think that there is any area in the Philippines that can boast of having one." It is sad how we can build this high-rise buildings with state-of-the-art features and yet when disaster strikes, this buildings we boast about couldn't even be a place wherein we can seek shelter. We shouldn't wait for another 'Yolanda' to hit the country before we start making safer buildings. Lives are at stake.
Since Super Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines, nonstop donations from all over the world began pouring in. Countries like the United States, Japan, and Israel sent personnels along with some medical supplies and equipment to help in the relief efforts. Organizations such as the United Nations and the International Red Cross donated huge amounts of money and relief packs for the people who were affected by this tragedy. In "Yolanda brings out the best in people" by globalbalita.com the writer, Val G. Abelgas, wrote about how even ordinary Filipinos went the extra mile and organized various fund-raising events for the survivors of this super storm. One of the things he wrote that stood out was, "Typhoon Yolanda has brought untold pain and suffering to millions of people, but it also brought the best in all of us." Indeed the 'Bayanihan' spirit is still in the Filipino's blood.
November 8, 2013 will forever be a part of our history. It was a time of pain and suffering by our countrymen who survived the onslaught of this super typhoon, but it was also a time for Filipinos to show the world that no winds, floods, or any other calamities that come our way could break the Filipino's fighting spirit.
