1fsw. Recent Deadly CyclonesHurricanes that make landfall over the
United States can be deadly, but nothing on the scale of what has been
witnessed in other parts of the world due to cyclones and typhoons. In
1970 Bangladesh (then part of Pakistan) was hit by a tropical cyclone
that killed between 300,000 and 500,000 people. This disaster led to the
construction of more than 2500 concrete shelters on pillars (Figure
12-6-1) to protect residents against future cyclone hits. These shelters
have undoubtedly saved hundreds of thousands of lives, first in 1991
when a cyclone hit the country with heavy rain, Category 5 winds, and a 9
m (30 ft) storm surge. Despite the fact that this was the strongest
cyclone to hit the country in more than a century, the death toll was
about 70,000—a horrific number but far smaller than that of the 1970
cyclone. The shelters once again saved tens of thousands of lives in
November 2007 when another Category 5 cyclone, Sidr, hit the country.
Estimates of the number of fatalities have varied between 3000 and
10,000—another terrible number but far less than that which would have
occurred without the shelters.In May 2008 Tropical Cyclone Nargis
(Figure 12-6-2) made international news when it hit Myanmar (formerly
called Burma) at its peak strength, packing peak winds estimated at 213
km/hr (132 mph) and producing heavy rains and a 3.7 m (12 ft) storm
surge. The disaster was intensified by the ruling military dictatorship
that denied entry to international relief workers trying to bring food
and medical supplies to the country. At least 77,000 people died from
Nargis—perhaps as many as 100,000—which would make it the deadliest
cyclone to hit Asia since the 1991 storm. Two to three million people
were left homeless.Much of the coastline of South Asia is perfectly
situated for disasters such as these. Low-lying coastal areas, often
near rivers that can overflow their banks, and a poorly developed
infrastructure for shelter and evacuation putthe lives of millions of
people in great danger. It is a tragic fact that events such as the ones
described here are likely to be repeated at great human cost.FIGURE
12-6-1 Cyclone Center. One of more than 2500 cyclone shelters set up in
Bangladesh after the catastrophic cyclone of 1970....FIGURE 12-6-2
Nargis. Satellite image of Tropical Cyclone Nargis approaching
Myanmar....What measures have been undertaken to mitigate the threat
from tropical cyclones in South Asia? Get solution
2fsw. Recent Deadly CyclonesHurricanes that make landfall over the United States can be deadly, but nothing on the scale of what has been witnessed in other parts of the world due to cyclones and typhoons. In 1970 Bangladesh (then part of Pakistan) was hit by a tropical cyclone that killed between 300,000 and 500,000 people. This disaster led to the construction of more than 2500 concrete shelters on pillars (Figure 12-6-1) to protect residents against future cyclone hits. These shelters have undoubtedly saved hundreds of thousands of lives, first in 1991 when a cyclone hit the country with heavy rain, Category 5 winds, and a 9 m (30 ft) storm surge. Despite the fact that this was the strongest cyclone to hit the country in more than a century, the death toll was about 70,000—a horrific number but far smaller than that of the 1970 cyclone. The shelters once again saved tens of thousands of lives in November 2007 when another Category 5 cyclone, Sidr, hit the country. Estimates of the number of fatalities have varied between 3000 and 10,000—another terrible number but far less than that which would have occurred without the shelters.In May 2008 Tropical Cyclone Nargis (Figure 12-6-2) made international news when it hit Myanmar (formerly called Burma) at its peak strength, packing peak winds estimated at 213 km/hr (132 mph) and producing heavy rains and a 3.7 m (12 ft) storm surge. The disaster was intensified by the ruling military dictatorship that denied entry to international relief workers trying to bring food and medical supplies to the country. At least 77,000 people died from Nargis—perhaps as many as 100,000—which would make it the deadliest cyclone to hit Asia since the 1991 storm. Two to three million people were left homeless.Much of the coastline of South Asia is perfectly situated for disasters such as these. Low-lying coastal areas, often near rivers that can overflow their banks, and a poorly developed infrastructure for shelter and evacuation putthe lives of millions of people in great danger. It is a tragic fact that events such as the ones described here are likely to be repeated at great human cost.FIGURE 12-6-1 Cyclone Center. One of more than 2500 cyclone shelters set up in Bangladesh after the catastrophic cyclone of 1970....FIGURE 12-6-2 Nargis. Satellite image of Tropical Cyclone Nargis approaching Myanmar....Why are parts of South Asia so vulnerable to tropical cyclones? Get solution
2fsw. Recent Deadly CyclonesHurricanes that make landfall over the United States can be deadly, but nothing on the scale of what has been witnessed in other parts of the world due to cyclones and typhoons. In 1970 Bangladesh (then part of Pakistan) was hit by a tropical cyclone that killed between 300,000 and 500,000 people. This disaster led to the construction of more than 2500 concrete shelters on pillars (Figure 12-6-1) to protect residents against future cyclone hits. These shelters have undoubtedly saved hundreds of thousands of lives, first in 1991 when a cyclone hit the country with heavy rain, Category 5 winds, and a 9 m (30 ft) storm surge. Despite the fact that this was the strongest cyclone to hit the country in more than a century, the death toll was about 70,000—a horrific number but far smaller than that of the 1970 cyclone. The shelters once again saved tens of thousands of lives in November 2007 when another Category 5 cyclone, Sidr, hit the country. Estimates of the number of fatalities have varied between 3000 and 10,000—another terrible number but far less than that which would have occurred without the shelters.In May 2008 Tropical Cyclone Nargis (Figure 12-6-2) made international news when it hit Myanmar (formerly called Burma) at its peak strength, packing peak winds estimated at 213 km/hr (132 mph) and producing heavy rains and a 3.7 m (12 ft) storm surge. The disaster was intensified by the ruling military dictatorship that denied entry to international relief workers trying to bring food and medical supplies to the country. At least 77,000 people died from Nargis—perhaps as many as 100,000—which would make it the deadliest cyclone to hit Asia since the 1991 storm. Two to three million people were left homeless.Much of the coastline of South Asia is perfectly situated for disasters such as these. Low-lying coastal areas, often near rivers that can overflow their banks, and a poorly developed infrastructure for shelter and evacuation putthe lives of millions of people in great danger. It is a tragic fact that events such as the ones described here are likely to be repeated at great human cost.FIGURE 12-6-1 Cyclone Center. One of more than 2500 cyclone shelters set up in Bangladesh after the catastrophic cyclone of 1970....FIGURE 12-6-2 Nargis. Satellite image of Tropical Cyclone Nargis approaching Myanmar....Why are parts of South Asia so vulnerable to tropical cyclones? Get solution
