Typhoon Mangkhut Brandon Olsen Typhoons are some of the ✓ Solved

Typhoons are some of the deadliest weather events on this planet. They are also unpreventable and unstoppable just like hurricanes. Fortunately, there are ways of mitigating them. This research focuses on Typhoon Mangkhut, which formed on 7th September in 2018 and dissipated after 10 days, particularly affecting the Philippines on 14th September 2018. The significance of Typhoon Mangkhut lies in the fact that it was both a national and international calamity affecting many people and destroying a lot of properties in the places it touched (Wan et al., 2018).

Before Typhoon Mangkhut hit, the atmospheric conditions observed included low wind shear, ample outflow aloft, high sea surface temperatures, and high ocean heat content (Wan et al., 2018). A range of weather agencies, especially the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), detected the tropical disturbance near the International Date Line early on, which enabled timely mitigation of the typhoon’s impacts. Following this, the atmospheric conditions stabilized after the typhoon passed, leading to a drop in sea surface temperatures and ocean heat content (Conrad, 2018; Shannon, 2018).

The impacts of Typhoon Mangkhut were severe, causing over 134 fatalities and considerable destruction across the Philippines. The typhoon obliterated crops, blocked roads, and disrupted communication and electricity lines. Many people were left homeless, and the damage to vital infrastructure rendered recovery efforts exceedingly challenging (Shannon, 2018). The economic and developmental consequences were staggering, as the typhoon significantly set back the nation’s growth due to the destruction of its systems and infrastructure, which took millennia to build.

The societal implications were equally devastating; the loss of life and property amplified fears among residents of future typhoons. Tourists, deterred by the prospect of disasters, reconsidered visiting the Philippines, further straining the nation’s economy. As various sectors collapsed, the immediate needs of rescue and recovery became paramount, with the government focusing on settling displaced persons and stabilizing the regions impacted by the typhoon.

To address the inevitability of such weather events in the future, establishing enhanced typhoon detection, communication, and recovery programs is imperative for the Philippines. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) played a significant role in the preparedness for Typhoon Mangkhut. The agency hoisted the necessary tropical cyclone warning signals and implemented preemptive evacuations in high-risk regions. Despite the advanced warning and preparations, the typhoon still resulted in considerable damage and loss of life, illustrating that improvements are still necessary to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of disaster preparedness and response systems.

In conclusion, Typhoon Mangkhut stands as a pivotal event that exposed both the vulnerabilities and resilience of the Filipino people and their governmental systems in the face of disasters. Ongoing efforts need to focus on improving infrastructure, public awareness, and emergency response mechanisms to mitigate the effects of such catastrophic weather events in the future.

References

  • Conrad, J. O. S. E. P. H. (2018). Typhoon. Place of Publication not Identified: Outlook Verlag.

  • Shannon, P. (September 25, 2018). How climate chaos: Hurts the poor. Green Left Weekly, 1197, 1197.

  • Wan, C., Sum, W., Chan, C., Chan, K., Lin, D., In Ng, K., & RTHK. (2018). Mangkhut memories. Hong Kong: RTHK.

  • Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). (2018). Typhoon Mangkhut: Preparedness and Impact Assessment.

  • Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). (2018). Typhoon Mangkhut: A Historical Perspective.

  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO). (2018). Tropical Cyclones and Climate Change: An Overview.

  • National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). (2018). Report on Typhoon Mangkhut and Recovery Efforts.

  • Asian Development Bank (ADB). (2019). The Economics of Disaster Risk Reduction: Typhoon Mangkhut in the Philippines.

  • International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). (2019). Preparedness and Response in Typhoon Affected Areas of the Philippines.

  • United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). (2019). Lessons Learned from Typhoon Mangkhut: Building a Resilient Future.