DISASTER READINESS

AND RISK REDUCTION

Hydrometeorological Hazards

WEEK 11
MODULE 11

Most Essential Learning Competency:

1. Recognize signs of impending hydro meteorological hazards;
RR11/12-IIc-d-33
2. Interpret different hydro meteorological hazard maps; RR11/12-IIc-
d-35
Learning Competencies
Recognize signs of impending hydro meteorological hazards; RR11/12-IIc-d-33

Objectives

 Identify the different hydrometeorological hazards

 Describe the characteristics of different hydrometeorological hazard
 Explain with the signs of impending hydrometeorological hazards.

Learning Experience

HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS
The Philippines is located within a typhoon belt
in the Pacific and is vulnerable to approximately 20
typhoons annually. In addition to typhoons, the country
suffers from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, storm
surges, flooding, and landslides. The Philippines has
endured disasters that involve national and
international assistance. (Philippines Disaster
Management Reference Handbook | March 2018)

According to UNISDR,
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL is a process or
phenomenon of atmospheric, hydrological or
oceanographic nature that may cause...
Loss of life, injury or other health impacts,
property damage, loss of livelihoods and services,
social and economic disruption, or environmental
damage.

Hydrometeorological hazards include

1. Typhoon
2. Thunderstorm
3. Flood
4. Flashflood
5. Storm Surge
6. El Niño
7. La Niña
 Hydrometeorological conditions also can be a factor in other hazards such as landslides,
wildland fires, locust plagues, epidemics, and in the transport and dispersal of toxic substances
and volcanic eruption material.

HYDROMETEOROLOGY - a process or phenomenon of atmospheric, hydrological or

oceanographic nature that may cause...
a. loss of life,
b. injury or other health impacts,
c. property damage,
d. loss of livelihoods and services,
e. social and economic disruption, or
f. environmental damage

TYPHOON

A Typhoon is a low-pressure area or a tropical cyclone that is large and violent. It rotates
counterclockwise with warm air raising above the warm water of the Western Pacific Ocean. On
the other side of the world, some call it hurricane or wily-wily. (Department of Education 2008)

According to Landesa (n.d.) hurricane and typhoon are terms also used for tropical cyclone.
Holland (1993) defined tropical Cyclone as “the typical term for non-frontal synoptic scale low
pressure system over tropical or subtropical waters with organized convections such as
thunderstorms and wind reaction.” In addition, Holland (1993) likewise indicates that tropical
cyclones are defined in three categories:

1. Tropical Depression- if tropical cyclones has a maximum sustained wind of less than
17 m/s or 34 kt, 39 mph
2. Tropical Storm - the tropical cyclone has a wind of at least 17 m/s or 34 kt, 39 mph
3. Typhoons or hurricane- if tropical cyclone winds move to 33 m/s or 64 kt, 74 mph.

The Following section is about the Revised Public Storm Warning System from PAGASA
website.
Revised Public Storm Warning System
PSWS LEAD TIME WINDS (KPH) IMPACTS OF THE WIND
(HRS.)
#1 36 30-60 No damage to very light damage
#2 24 61-120 Light to moderate damage
#3 18 121-170 Moderate to heavy damage
#4 12 171-220 Heavy to very heavy damage
#5 12 More than 220 Very heavy to widespread damage

When any Public Storm Warning Signal Number is hoisted or put in effect for the first
time, the corresponding meteorological conditions are not yet prevailing over the locality. This is
because the purpose of the signal is to warn the impending occurrence of the given meteorological
conditions. It must be noted also that the approximate lead time to expect the range of the wind
speeds given for each signal number is valid only when the signal number is put in effect for the
first time. Thus, the associated meteorological conditions are still expected in at least 36 hours
when PSWS #1 is put in effect initially; in at least 24 hours with PSWS #2; in at least 18 hours
with PSWS #3, in at least 12 hours with PSWS #4; and in at least 12 hours with PSWS #5. The
lead time shortens correspondingly in the subsequent issues of the warning bulletin when the signal
number remains in effect as the tropical cyclone comes closer.
 It is also important to remember that tropical cyclones are constantly in motion; generally,
towards the Philippines when PAGASA is issuing the warning. Therefore, the Public Storm
Warning Signal Number over a threatened/ affected locality may be sequentially upgraded or
downgraded.

The delineation of areas for a given signal number is based on the intensity, size of
circulation and the forecast direction and speed of movement of the tropical storm or typhoon at
the time of issue of the warning bulletin. The change in intensity, size of circulation or movement
of the tropical cyclone also determines the change in the PSWS number over a given locality.

Typhoon signals are raised when wind speed is very strong. Wind strength determines
typhoon signals. Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration ( PAGASA ) is a government agency that issue warnings to people.
Typhoon signals to warn people of the coming typhoon through their regular weather bulletins.
Wind speed is expressed in kilometers per hour ( Kph ) and wind speed is measured by the use of
an anemometer.

The following are different typhoon signals and their descriptions.

TABLE 1. TYPHOON SIGNALS AND THEIR DESCRIPTION

SIGNAL NUMBER DESCRIPTION

Strong winds of 30-60 kph maybe expected
Within at least 36 hours.
1 = one blast Be alert, always listen to PAGASA’S update.
Strong winds of 60 to 100 kph maybe
expected
Within at least 24 hours. Postpone air or sea
travel.
2 = two blast Classes in the elementary and secondary are
suspended.
Strong winds of 100 to 185 kph maybe
expected
Within at least 18 hours. Classes in all level
3 = three blast are Suspended.
Work in government offices are
likewise suspended.

Very strong winds of more than 185 kph are

4 = four blast expected at least within 12 hours.

THUNDERSTORM

A thunderstorm is a weather condition generally characterized by heavy rain characterized

by thunder and lightning and possible a tornado. A typical thunderstorm occurs when the sun heats
a large body of moist air near the ground. The moist air rises in the air and is cooled by expansion;
this cooling condenses water vapor and forms a cumulus cloud. When the process continues,
cumulus nimbus clouds are produced; in this case, the turbulent air inside cloud produced rain
drops and strong electrical charge that result in lightning. Thunderstorm at night are due to the
cooling of the upper layers of the air messes that goes like a wedge near the ground that forces
warmer air to raise above (DepEd, 2008). This atmospheric condition can kill if it strikes any living
thing. It can also cause damage to properties when large objects like trees are blown off the ground.
 Typical thunderstorms are 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Despite
the short time span, thunderstorms can be extremely dangerous as they are often strong and fast in
their approach and can be accompanied by flash flooding, lightning, hail, tornadoes, and high
winds.
Lightning damage can result in electrocution of humans and animals; vaporization of
materials along the path of the strike; fire caused by the high temperature produced by the strike;
and sudden power surges that can damage electrical and electronic equipment. Millions of dollars
of direct and indirect damages result from lightning strikes on electric utility substations and
distribution lines.
While property damage is the major hazard associated with lightning, it should be noted
that lightning strikes kill nearly 100 people each year (NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE).

FLOOD

A flood is generally referred to as the running and overlaying of water on land that are
ordinarily covered by it. The formation of flood is characterized by:

“ the rise of water from stream, water drainage, enclosed bodies of water, and rivers that is
overflowing on adjacent lands; the overflowing is a result of continuous heavy rainfall due to
weather conditions such as monsoons, tropical cyclones, and intertropical convergence zone
(DepEd, 2008, p.26)”

Flood is also defined as superfluous water that swamps land and property that are ordinarily
dry (Haddow, Bullock and Coppala, 2011). In addition, Arsulamy and Jeyadevi (2011), pointed
out that flood hazard is “compounded by the problems of sediments positon, drainage congestion,
synchronization of river floods with sea tides in the coastal plain (Haddow, Bullock and Coppola,
2011, p.16)”.
Moreover, floods are hydrological phenomena and sometimes as result of storm surges and
tsunamis in the coastal areas. It is also attributed as a result of some human activities like cutting
of trees and development of large areas or urbanization. These human activities change the
hydrological regime of the land area and the water flows out into the rivers and streams rapidly
than usual.
There are several factors that contribute to the occurrences of flood. One can be intensity
of the rain and its duration. The rate of rain is the intensity while the span of time the rain last is
the duration. Aside from this, the soil condition and ground cover play important roles in
flooding.

Source: DepEd, 2008

Flood causes damage to properties and lives especially when it flows fast and rises very
rapidly----Flashfloods, “Most Flash flooding is caused by slow moving thunderstorms repeatedly
moving over the same area, or heavy rains from tropical storms (DepEd, 2008).”
Floods due to storm surges and tsunamis are more dangerous than the flood raising slowly
in some areas. Storm surges have a strong impact and are very fast. It can destroy houses and
establishments. It can be sweep people and drown them. It can push large sea vessels from the sea
to land.

By definition, any land which is usually above water level is said to be flooded if it goes
under water for a period arbitrarily defined as one or two hours. Flooding can be owing to many
reasons. Usually this happens when the river or the stream draining the area is over balanced by a
very large volume of water beyond its capacity. A river channel is formed by the forces of nature
to be able to convey the flow that is found most of the time. When the volume exceeds this, the
water level rises above the banks and spreads in to the adjacent lands. This area is usually called
the flood plain of the river.
People resident or working in the flood plains must be mindful of the fact that there is an ever
present threat of floods.
STORM SURGE

Storm surge is generally described as the ‘’masses of water that are pushed toward the
shore by meteorological forces (Haddow, Bullock, and Coppola, 2011, p. 39).’’ It is basically
described as an escalating seawater to the coast above the normal sea level. Formation of storm
surge includes the following:

‘’Sea level is raised and driven towards the coast. Where the depth is shallow and the slope
of the sea bed is gradual, the natural flow of the water is delayed by the effects of the friction of
the sea bed. As more water moves from the sea to the coast, excess water piles up on the shore
line. This piling up of water makes a large volume of water which might eventually flow into the
hinterland some distance from the coast. Depending upon the shape of the coastline and the slope
of the sea bed, storm surge can be sweep across large portions of coastal areas (DepEd, 2008).’’
Storm surges may be massively destructive. It may drown people and animal and affect entire
communities. Moreover, it may also result

EL NINO AND LA NINA

“La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, as
compared to El Niño, which is characterized by unusually warm temperatures in the equatorial
pacific. El Niño and La Niña result from interaction between surface of the ocean and the
atmosphere in tropical Pacific. Changes in the ocean impact the atmosphere and climate patterns
around the globe. In turn, changes in the atmosphere impact the ocean temperatures and currents.
The system oscillates between warm (El Niño) to neutral, or Cold (La Niña) conditions with an
averages of every 3-4 years (DepEd, 2008).”Both hazards affect human lives and communities.
El Niño yields heat can kill, most especially, the elderly and the young children. It can cause heat

strokes and hypertensions. It is also the cause of massive drought around the country. On the
other hand, La Niña produces too much rain, due to frequent atmospheric disturbance, which
result to flooding.

El Niño and La Niña events are a natural part of the global climate system. They occur
when the Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere above it change from their neutral (‘normal’) state for
several seasons. El Niño events are associated with a warming of the central and eastern tropical
Pacific, while La Niña events are the reverse, with a sustained cooling of these same areas.
 These changes in the Pacific Ocean and its overlying atmosphere occur in a cycle known
as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The atmosphere and ocean interact, reinforcing each
other and creating a ‘feedback loop’ which amplifies small changes in the state of the ocean into
an ENSO event. When it is clear that the ocean and atmosphere are fully coupled an ENSO event
is considered established.

Even in a neutral state, temperatures in the Pacific Ocean vary from east to west – for
example, the western Pacific ‘warm pool’ in the tropical Pacific has some of the warmest large-
scale ocean temperatures in the world. During an ENSO event, ocean temperatures become
warmer than usual or cooler than usual at different locations, which are reflected in ocean
temperature gradients. The most important driver of ENSO is these temperature gradients across
the Pacific, both at the surface and below the surface, particularly at the thermocline.

Activity 1: Picture Perfect

Identify the Hydrometeorological Hazard in the given picture, write your answer on the blank
provided.

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

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Activity 2 Picture Analysis

Based on the given pictures identify what particular cause and effect of hydrometeorological
hazards.

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2._________________________
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3._________________________
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Activity 3: Table Completion

Fill in the needed information to complete the given table:

Hydrometeorological Hazard Characteristics Signs of Impending
Hydrometeorological Hazard
1. Typhoon
2. Flood
3. Storm Surge
4. El Niño

Learning Competency
Interpret different hydro meteorological hazard maps; RR11/12-IIc-d-35
Objectives:
1. Source different hydrometeorological hazard maps available on the internet; and
2. Use/apply the hazard maps in their local area as tools for risk assessment and planning

Learning Experience

Return period, also referred to as recurrence interval, is the probability of an event such as
heavy rain, intense typhoon of floods to happen. It is a statistical measurement mainly based on
historical data that gives the estimated time interval between similar extreme events.
For example, the return period of a heavy rainfall event is 100 years, this can be expressed
as an event with a probability of happening equivalent to 1/100 or 1%. This does not mean that
the next similar extreme event will happen 100 years after, instead, it means that in a given year,
there is a 1% chance that the event will happen. Consequently, 100-year floods can happen in 2
consecutive years. In analysis of extreme hydrometeorological events, “return periods” are usually
used to infer the severity of an event.

Rainfall in the Philippines Rainfall is the most important climatic element in the
Philippines. Rainfall distribution throughout the country varies from one region to another,
depending upon the direction of the moisture-bearing winds and the location of the mountain
systems. The mean annual rainfall of the Philippines varies from 965 to 4,064 millimeters annually.
Baguio City, eastern Samar, and eastern Surigao receive the greatest amount of rainfall while the
southern portion of Cotabato receives the least amount of rain. At General Santos City in Cotabato,
the average annual rainfall is only 978 millimeters for the whole year. What is the usual rainfall in
you area?
 The Modified Coronas Climate
Classification (Fig. 1) describes the monthly
rainfall variations in different parts of the
country.

Rainfall Observation

Aside from rain gauge monitoring in different parts of the Philippines, PAGASA publishes
regularly updated color-coded satellite images (Fig. 2) from the Multi-Functional Transport
Satellite or MTSAT (as of Dec 2015, but will soon shift to a newer satellite called Himawari-8) to
visualize rain distribution across the country. Color code is as follows: Red – heavy rain; Yellow
– light to moderate rain; White – clouds; Blue – clear sky.

Radar Image

In addition to the satellite observation, PAGASA operates 10 weather radar stations (as of
2015) all over the Philippines. Fig. 3 shows the locations of these weather radar systems. Weather
radar can detect hydrometeors (e.g. rain, clouds) by transmitting electromagnetic radiation to the
atmosphere then analyze the returning “echoes” reflected by weather elements present in the sky.
Figure 4 shows a sample radar image over Bataan also using a color coding scheme to visualize
rainfall in the region.

Flood Monitoring System

Another product of PAGASA is its watershed monitoring network or Flood monitoring

system. Using water level sensors that measures the height of the water level of major river
systems, users can monitor impending flooding in major river systems in the Philippines. Figure 5
show the major waterways of Metro Manila and their corresponding water levels.

While we are usually concerned with heavy rainfall events, lack of rain is also a significant
condition that we also experience. Weather in different parts of the Philippines can vary
significantly for certain years as a response to changing global climate. One of the main climate
drivers that affect the Philippines is the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) or simply El Niño.

El Niño is a significant increase in ocean temperature over the eastern and central Pacific
ocean. It occurs at irregular intervals ranging from 2-7 years usually developing in the early
months of the year and decay the following year. In the Philippines, El Niño conditions are often
characterized by dry and warm to hot climate.

Months prior to the onset of El Niño, PAGASA publishes Drought/Dry spell outlook
(Fig.6) that can warn us of impending dry conditions so we can prepare for such extreme events.
Drought/Dry spell assessment (Fig.7) is also regularly published to report unusual climate
conditions in different parts of the Philippines.

Activity 1
Give / describe the purpose of the following hazard maps:
1. Modified Coronas Climate Classification
2. PAGASA Flood monitoring system
3. DOST-NOAH web portal.

Activity 2

Discuss and enumerate the steps that can be taken to reduce future disasters in your community
using the hydro-meteorological hazard maps

Post Test

Direction: Shade the circle that corresponds to the letter of the correct answer.

1. A program under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) with the mission to
undertake disaster science research and development, advance the use of cutting edge technology
and recommend innovative information services in government’s disaster prevention and
mitigation efforts?
A. Project NOAH C. Flood Monitoring System
B. (NAMRIA) D. Radar Image System

2. Is a significant increase in ocean temperature over the eastern and central Pacific Ocean. It
occurs at irregular intervals ranging from 2-7 years usually developing in the early months of the
year and decay the following year.
A. El Niño B. La Niña C. Storm Surge D. Typhoon

3. Which enerally local storms produced by cumulonimbus clouds and are always
accompanied by lightning and thunder, usually with strong wind gusts, heavy rain and
sometimes with hail and/or tornado
A. El Niño B. La Niña C. Storm Surge D. Thunderstorm

4. Which of the following hydrometeorological hazards has an overflow of water onto normally
dry land in an existing waterway, such as a river, stream, or drainage ditch.

A. El Niño B. La Niña C. Storm Surge D. Flood

5. The rise and onshore surge of seawater as the result primarily of the winds of a tropical cyclone,
and secondarily of the surface pressure drop near the center of the tropical cyclone.
A. El Niño B. La Niña C. Storm Surge D. Typhoon

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