Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction

Hydrometeorological Hazards
Learning Competencies:
1. Define hydro-meteorological hazards;
2. Identify different hydro-meteorological hazards
3. Recognize signs of impending hydrometeorological hazards;
4. Interpret different hydrometeorological hazard maps; and
5. Use available tools for monitoring hydrometeorological hazards.

Background

The Philippines being located in the Southeast Asia

is considered very vulnerable to natural
hazards and disasters, which include
typhoons, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions,
landslides, and fires that affect the country and its
inhabitants.

Surrounding the Pacific Ocean basin is a circular arm

of active volcanoes known as the “Pacific Ring of Fire” in
which most of the volcanoes in the Philippines are part of
Continental plate activities around this area result to
volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in the country.

National Disaster Management Plan of 2016 stated

that HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARD 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.

Activity 1.
Fix the jumbled words to identify the different hydrometeorological hazards.

__________________1. MROTSREDNUHT – is local storm created by cumulonimbus

clouds and are often accompanied by lightning and thunder, usually with strong wind gusts,
heavy rain and occasionally hail and/or tornado.
__________________2. PHYNOTO - is a low-pressure area, or a wide and violent tropical
cyclone. It rotates in the counterclockwise direction, with warm air rising above Western
Pacific Ocean warm water.
__________________3. AÑNIAL - represents periods of under-average sea surface
temperatures across the Equatorial Pacific in the east-central.
__________________4. LFODO - is characterized as superfluous water that swamps
normally dry land and properties.
__________________5. MRSTO GRSUE- is an abnormal rise in sea level during tropical
cyclones
__________________6. AFLSOHFLOD - is often caused by heavy rainfall in a short time
span, typically less than 6 hours.
__________________7. ÑNOELI - refers to the large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate
interaction linked to a regular warming of sea surface temperatures around the Equatorial
Pacific region and east-center.
__________________8. AHINAM – this occurs from around November to April and is
generally associated with cooler, dry winds from the northeast.
__________________9. AHATBGA - this is the rainy season, which usually occurs from June
to September. It brings heavy rainfall, strong winds, and can cause widespread flooding,
landslides, and storm surges, especially during typhoons.
__________________10. ATDRONO - a rapidly rotating column of air that extends from the
base of a thunderstorm to the ground.

Activity 2.
Analyze the scenarios given below. Write YES if the scenario shows that it will rain and
NO if it will not. Answer the guide questions that follow.

___________1. The sun is shining brightly.

___________2. A high lying veil of clouds is seen on the horizon.
___________3. It looks dark outside.
___________4. It suddenly becomes windy.
___________5. It is bright outside, but I see dark clouds at a distance.
___________6. The temperature of the surroundings feels slightly cool.
___________7. The sky has high-lying clouds.
___________8. The surroundings feel humid.

Guide questions:

9. How can you tell if it will rain or not?

__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Why do you need to be aware of the changes in your surroundings concerning the
weather?
________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Signs of impending Hydrometeorological Hazards

Typhoon
A typhoon is a violent tropical cyclone that forms over warm waters, North of the
equator in the Western Pacific Ocean. It contains winds rotating counterclockwise, with a
speed of 118-220 kilometers per hour. It could also develop into a super typhoon if the
wind speed exceeds 220 kilometers per hour. The impending signs of a typhoon are felt
when it is close to landfall. These include the following:
1. increased ocean swell– A swell is a series of ocean waves brought about by
strong winds. An incoming typhoon would cause a swell of about a meter in height
that hit the shore every 10 seconds.
2. changes in clouds – Cumulus clouds may fill the sky about 36 hours before a
typhoon. As the storm approaches, the sky could be clear of clouds and may later
have a mass of cirrus clouds. A few hours before the typhoon landfall, low-lying
clouds form which slowly become thick and dark, usually accompanied by rain.
3. barometric pressure drops – the atmospheric pressure may start to drop about
36 hours before typhoon landfall. This will continue as the storm approaches.
4. abrupt changes in wind speed – wind speed increases due to the drop in
atmospheric pressure as air moves from an area with high pressure to low
pressure.

Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm is a small-scale storm accompanied by lightning and thunder. A
typical thunderstorm only lasts about 30 minutes to an hour and may cover an area as small
as 5 kilometers in diameter. However, they bring about other hazards such as strong winds
and heavy rainfall. In extreme cases, they may be accompanied by tornado. The impending
signs of a thunderstorm include the following:
1. system of cumulonimbus clouds –
unequal heating of the Earth’s surface cause
the upward movement of moist air, forming
a tower of cumulonimbus clouds that
continuously accumulate in the sky,
signaling an incoming thunderstorm.
2. the sky turns dark – the cumulonimbus
clouds filled with water droplets serve as a
barrier for sunlight. The sky darkens with a
greyish tint or may also have hues of green,
yellow, or violet. As clouds start to have dark bases, they may be in the process
of becoming thunderstorm clouds.
3. lightning and thunder– flashes of lightning followed by thunder may be
observed. This may occur even before the rain falls. In some cases, thunder that
follows the lightning is inaudible which could mean that the thunderstorm is
approaching or forming from a distance.
4. gusts of wind and change in wind direction – downdrafts which are rapidly
descending air columns. Downbursts descend even faster and maybe as strong
as a tornado.

Storm surge
Storm surge is a rapid rise of seawater above normal sea level on the coast,
generated by strong winds brought about by typhoons and thunderstorms. This means
that the impending signs of storm surge are similar to that of the two aforementioned
hazards. Unlike a tsunami that has visual signs such as receding water level, a storm
surge is a rather fast and unexpected hazard that can sneak in anytime during a storm.
It is advised that residents of low-lying coastal areas should evacuate upon observing
signs of an incoming storm.

Flood and Flashflood

The flood occurs when land areas which are normally not covered with water are
being submerged, often after heavy and continuous rainfall. In some cases, heavy
rainfall may cause temporary overflow from bodies of water, adjacent lands, or
floodplains causing the flood. The impending signs of the flood are similar to that of
typhoons or thunderstorms as they are usually accompanied by rain. People should also
watch out for overflowing water from manholes as this could mean that the area may be
flooded soon. Flooding may last for days and even weeks.

Flashflood is a flood characterized by a raging current that occurs when the water
level rises due to heavy rainfall. Unlike flood, flashflood lasts from a few minutes to a
few hours only. It is common along rivers, mountain canyons, coastline, creeks, and
even urban areas. The impending signs of a flashflood include the following:
1. weather forecasts typhoon or thunderstorm – they may bring intense and
prolonged rainfall.
2. water collecting in puddles and rapidly rising water – this could mean that
the ground is saturated with water and flooding may follow. Water could be
stocked up in a distant area and a flash flood could occur anytime soon.
3. muddy water – this may mean that calm water has been disturbed and the dirt
has mixed with the water.
4. roaring sound from upstream – this may be from stones, branches, or logs
being carried in the water.
5. floating debris in water – twigs, leaves, and sticks may be from bigger
branches and logs carried by the water.
Monsoons
Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring significant changes in weather patterns,
particularly affecting rainfall and temperature.
Amihan
(Northeast Monsoon): Occurs from November to April, bringing cool, dry winds
from the northeast. This results in lower humidity, cooler temperatures, and generally clear
skies, especially in the northern and central parts of the country. It’s a dry season with
reduced rainfall. Here are the brief impending signs of the Amihan:

1. Wind Shift: Winds shift to the northeast, bringing cooler, dry air, especially in the
mornings and evenings.
2. Decrease in Humidity: The air becomes drier, making it feel cooler and more
comfortable, especially in the northern and central regions.
3. Clearer Skies: The sky becomes mostly clear with few clouds or high, wispy clouds
(cirrus clouds).
4. Cooler Temperatures: Expect a drop in temperature, particularly in the mornings and
nights, especially in higher-altitude areas.
5. Drier Weather: Rainfall decreases, with less frequent showers, and dry conditions
become more common.
6. Rough Seas on Eastern Coasts: Coastal areas, especially along the east, experience
rougher seas due to the strong northeast winds.

Habagat
(Southwest Monsoon): Occurs from June to September, bringing warm, moist
winds from the southwest. This leads to increased humidity, heavy rainfall, and
thunderstorms, particularly in the western parts of the Philippines. It’s the wet season and is
often associated with typhoons, floods, and rough seas. Here are the brief impending signs of
the Habagat

1. Wind Shifts: Winds shift to the southwest, bringing in warm, moist air from the ocean.
2. Increased Humidity: The air becomes more humid, making it feel warmer and
stickier, especially in the afternoon.
3. Cloud Cover: The sky becomes overcast with thick, dark clouds, particularly
cumulonimbus clouds (rain clouds).
4. Increased Rainfall: Expect heavy, persistent rain, especially on the western side of
the country (e.g., Western Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao).
5. Storms and Typhoons: The onset of the monsoon may also bring thunderstorms or
even tropical storms and typhoons, increasing the risk of flooding.
6. Coastal Winds and Rough Seas: Coastal areas, especially in the west, may
experience rough seas and stronger winds, making maritime activities more dangerous.

Hydrometeorological hazard maps

A hydrometeorological hazard map
is a guide that highlights areas that are
vulnerable to potential hazards like storm
surge, typhoon, and flood. They are
created to identify the areas that are
prone to or affected these
hydrometeorological hazards. Hazard
maps can also help prevent serious
damage and deaths.
Areas in the northern part of
Alaminos are highly susceptible to
flooding. The hazard map can inform
people about where they can relocate
before they can be affected by the
disaster. By knowing the possible threats

Flood and Landslide Hazard Map of Alaminos

Watershed
in their area, they can plan accordingly and act to prevent any damage or devastating
effect of the disaster.

Tools for Monitoring Hydrometeorological Hazards

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services

Administration (PAGASA), as the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services
(NMHS) of the Philippines is authorized in providing the warning for the public safety of the
people. They used various instruments to monitor environmental conditions. You may be
familiar with common weather instruments such as thermometer, anemometer, barometer,
rain gauge, and sling psychrometer. They are still used today.

Activity 3.
Match the instrument to its corresponding description.

______C__1. Doppler Radar a barometer that reads and records

atmospheric pressure continuously.
______a__2. Barograph b. provides the synoptic view and coverage
area of a weather disturbance and the
capability to relay weather data from remote
automatic weather stations.
_______D_3. Thermograph c. calculates the motion of precipitation,
estimates its type, and determines the
structure of storms and their potential to
cause severe weather.
____B____4. Weather Satellite d. an instrument that measures and records
air temperature continuously.
_______E_5. Weather Surveillance Radar e. it detects and monitors the track of
typhoons and cloud masses within 400
kilometers.

Activity 4.
List the hydrometeorological event you have personally encountered at your residence.
Explain briefly what measures you have done to minimize the impact of the event
mentioned.