Analysis about Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)

A Typhoon is an intense area of low atmospheric pressure. Like all low pressure weather
systems observed North of the Equator, the air rotates around the center of an area of low
pressure in an anti-clockwise direction (clockwise if South of the Equator). The more intense
the area of low pressure the higher the wind speeds near the center. A Typhoon is a low
pressure weather system with sustained wind speeds near its center of at least 56 knots
(about 105 kph). Typhoons are made over the ocean; typhoons are not made over land.

In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda (also known as Typhoon Haiyan) struck the Philippines and was
the deadliest typhoon in the country’s history. Over six thousand people lost their lives and
over 1 million people’s homes were damaged, displacing over 600,000 people. A monster
typhoon, with winds reaching 147mph, killed, tossed houses into the sea and sent millions
fleeing for shelter in the Philippines. On November 7th, 2013 Typhoon Yolanda hit the
Philippines. While the Philippines is no stranger to the power of tropical storms, it was not
prepared for the devastating effects of Typhoon Yolanda, which was one of the strongest
storms ever recorded. The fact that the Philippines is comprised of over 7,000 islands leaves
the country particularly vulnerable to strong winds and storm surges. In the Philippines, a
vast number of inhabitants live in areas with poor infrastructure and housing, which made
Typhoon Yolanda especially dangerous. In the wake of Yolanda’s destruction, thousands lost
their lives, 4.1 million people were left displaced from their homes, and 6 million workers
were left without means to support their livelihood. Typhoon Yolanda caused severe
damage to some of the Philippines biggest sources of income, destroying coconut farms all
over the islands, leaving over a million coconut farmers without a means to support
themselves as they’ve had to wait years for their farms to recover. The typhoon also greatly
affected local fisheries, which is one of the Philippines most important sectors, employing
1.6 million people. Many families lost everything during Typhoon Yolanda and were left
struggling once the storm was over. The lack of options for transitional and permanent
housing prolonged the displacement for many families, many of which are still trying to
recover.
The destruction typhoon Haiyan caused was immense. A category 5 super typhoon,
developed in the west-northern part of the North Pacific Ocean by thunderstorms
converting moisture into heat, causing more air to flow to the centre of the storm causing
evaporation, all the heat and air flow towards the eye thus creating a typhoon. The
diameter of the storm was about 300 miles. The wind speed was estimated to have reached
an average of 310 km/h (195mp/h).
Typhoons can be predicted. Though the predictions are not exact, scientists can make a
fairly accurate prediction of when typhoons will come. Meteorologists can use tools from
satellite images to Doppler radar to predict a typhoon up to a week in advance. Though the
tools have been improving through the past years, these tools aren’t exactly accurate, so
meteorologists are basically estimating when a typhoon will happen. But in the little time
you have left, you can prepare for it.