Measures to do before, during and after a landslide

Before
1. Profile your community if it is located along any slopes, whether on top, on the side, or at the base of any hill
or mountains. Ask assistance from your local disaster response office.
2. Create a family disaster preparedness plan and discuss it with the whole family.
3. Prepare a family emergency kit or Go Bag per member or a big bug-out bag for the whole family. Also,
stockpile essential items such as food, water and clothing.
4. Consult UP NOAH for hazard mapping and the MGB for landslide and sink-hole hazard mapping of your
community. You may also inquire from the local government regarding ground assessment and history of
landslide events.
5. Visit the websites of PAGASA and UP NOAH for typhoon tracking.
6. Your community can prepare warning and response systems which include: usage of bamboo percussion;
used ‘cut’ acetylene tank as ‘warning bell’ or bamboo flagpoles with flaglets on ropes to play as tilt or
movement indicators; text brigade; setting up of Community/Crime watch; bucket relay for fire incidents; and
many more.
7. Learn first aid.

During
1. Be on alert mode. If at home, assign household members to be awake and to monitor surroundings, updates,
and updates and news reports on rational basis.
2. Prepare emergency supplies, Go bags, and evacuation protocols.
3. Evacuate if there is a high threat or an order for pre-emptive evacuation.
4. Be aware of the unusual sounds like rumbling during movement of the earth, uneasy movements and noises
of domestic animals, knocking sounds of boulders, or cracking of trees. There might be the slight tremors also
during movement of boulders and huge earth mass.
5. Get updates from your local disaster response office, news station (radio, TV, and online weather services
though social media).
6. Get away from the landslide passageway or debris flow as quickly as possible. Evacuate to elevated, stable
areas, or to assigned secured staging/mustering points.
7. Avoid valleys, galleys, stream channels, and other low-lying cauldrons which have high tendency to be
toppled by the flow.
8. Should you be caught and escape is not possible, curl into a tight fetal position with arms and hands wrapped
around your head.

After
1. If you survived landslide uninjured while in your house of school, quickly prepare to move out while there is
time.
2. Check if you are injured, have inhaled fumes of dust, or trapped (fully or partially). Use a whistle to sound an
alarm and help responders locate you.
3. If you are not injured, check if there are injured or entrapped people. Do not attempt to perform extrication or
rescue in difficult situations. Instead, guide the responders to the location.
4. If your house or school is partially involved in the landslide with damage on some areas, note broken electric
lines and notify authorities. Turn off LPG tanks and close water valves.
5. Continuously get updates from your local disaster response office and local news station (radio, TV, and
online weather services through social media)
6. Go to designated sites with your Go Bag or family kit if you feel unsafe in your home or school.
7. Never go to the landslide area if you are not part of the rescue team. There might be unstable grounds or
additional movement of the earth.
8. Some landslides have flooding or mudflow aftermath. Keep watch on these occurrences.

HYDRO-METEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS
Objectives: At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Distinguish the different hydro-meteorological hazards;
2. Recognize signs of impending different hydro-meteorological hazards;
 3. Apply appropriate measures/interventions before, during, and after hydro-meteorological
hazards;
4. Use available tools for monitoring hydro-meteorological hazards;

Hydro-meteorological hazards are cause by extreme meteorological and climate events such as flood,
droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, landslides, or mudslides. They account for dominant fraction of natural hazards
and occur in all portions of the world; however, the frequency, intensity, and vulnerability of certain hazards in
some regions differ from the others. Severe storms, strong winds, floods and droughts develop at different
spatial-temporal scales, but all can become disasters that can cause infrastructure damage and claim thousands
of lives annually worldwide. Multiple hazards often occur in one extreme weather event. In addition to causing
injuries, deaths, and material damage, a tropical storm can also result to flooding and mudslides, which disrupt
water purification and sewage disposal systems, cause overflow of toxic wastes, and increase propagation of
mosquito-borne diseases. The increase in the frequency of extreme events due to acceleration of the global
water cycle induces more risks to human settlements, especially those on floodplains and areas susceptible to
landslides, in an era of rapid population growth.

Types of Hydro-meteorological hazards

1. Storm- is a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or
snow. If the storm happens along the Northwest Pacific, it is called a typhoon; if in the Atlantic and Northeast
pacific, the tropical system is a hurricane; and if it is in the Northern Indian Ocean, it is called a cyclone.
There is also the Date Line at 180° west longitude where a hurricane becomes a typhoon once it crosses the
demarcation. An example is 2014 Hurricane Genevieve which became typhoon Genevieve after crossing the
said line.

2. Tornado- is a mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-
shaped cloud and advancing beneath a large storm system.

3. Drought- is a protracted period of deficient or below-average precipitation in a given region resulting in

extensive damage to crops and loss of yield. It is an insidious hazard of nature resulting in prolonged shortages
in its water supply, whether atmospheric, surface water, or ground water, which can even last for months or
years, or maybe declared after 15 days.

4. Landslide- is the movement of rocks, debris, or earth down a slope after heavy rains. It results from the
failure of the materials which make up the hill slopes. It is also driven by the force of gravity depending on the
type of slope. Landslide is also known as landslip, slump, or slope failure.

5. Typhoon- is a type of a large storm system having circular or spiral violent winds, with hundreds of
kilometers or miles in diameter. It is developed in the Western part of the North Pacific Ocean, which is
referred to as the Northwestern Pacific basin. It is the most active tropical cyclone basin on Earth and accounts
for about one-third of the world’s annual tropical cyclones.
Once the typhoon enters the Philippine Are of responsibility (PAR), it is given a local name by the
PAGASA, an agency which also gives public storm signal warnings and other weather bulletins.

6. Flood- is an inundation of water (or with mud) especially on normal dry land, usually caused by high flow or
overflow of water in watercourse such as river, a stream, or a drainage ditch; or ponding of water at or near the
point where the rain fell . Flood is one of the most common and costly natural incidents around the archipelago
due to heavy or steady rain for several hours or days that saturates the ground. It can strike anywhere even
without a warning.

Types of Floods
a. Flash floods- occur within six hours, mainly due to heavy rainfall associated with towering cumulus
clouds, thunderstorms, and tropical storms or during passage of cold weather fronts, or by dam failure or
other river obstruction. This type of flood requires a rapid localized warning system.

b. River floods- caused by precipitation over a large catchment area, melting of snow or both which
feeds a river system. Built up slowly or on a regular basis, these floods downriver may continue for days
or weeks. The major factors of these floods are moisture, vegetation cover, depth of snow, size of the
catchment basin, etc.

c. Coastal flood- usually cause by hurricanes, tropical cyclones, etc. (during typhoon months), and the
changing of tides on low-lying coastal areas. The extent or range of coastal flooding depends on the
 topography of the land like in the Philippines where most storms come from the east of the Pacific;
which sometimes cause storm surges.

d. Urban flood- the inability of the soil to absorb water due to lack of drainage. As land is converted
from agricultural fields or woodlands to roads and parking lots, it loses its ability to absorb rainfall.
Excessive paving and infrastructure developments in the metropolis decrease the ability of the soil to
absorb water. During periods of urban flooding, streets can become flooded with swift currents and with
debris, while basements can become death traps as they fill with water.

e. Ice jam- an accumulation of ice at a natural or man-made obstruction that stops the flow of water
thereby causing floods. Flooding, too, can occur when the snow melts at a very fast rate.

f. Glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) - the failure of dam containing glacial lake. This may be caused
by the melting of glaciers, seismic activity, volcanic eruption under the glacier, erosion or avalanche,
and build-up of water pressure. As a result, the water contained in the glacial lake may overflow and
cause flood on low-lying areas.

Characteristics of Flood
1. Depth of water- Building foundations and vegetation has different degrees of tolerance depending on
depth.
2. Duration- Damage to structures and vegetation; and even spread of water-borne diseases are related
to the duration of flooding.
3. Velocity- High velocities of flow create erosive forces, hydrodynamic pressure which can cause death,
and also destruction of foundation of structures and may occur on floodplains or in the main river
channel.
4. Frequency of occurrence- The frequency of occurrence measured over period of time determines the
types of construction or agricultural activities on the flood-plain.
5. Seasonality- Flooding during a growing season destroys crops.

Measures Before, during and after Hydro-meteorological hazards

(Typhoon)

Before
1. Come up with a Family Communication Plan, Family Disaster Plan, and Community Disaster Plan.
2. Discuss the plan with your family or community members.
3. Be updated about the progress of the typhoon through your local radio, TV, social media, and even from your
local disaster response office.
4. Prepare a family emergency kit or Go Bag per member.
5. If with internet access, go to the site of the UP NOAH for hazard mapping; check maps for tendency of flood,
landslide and storm surges. You may also visit the website of PAGASA for typhoon tracking.
6. Check your drainage and roof gutters, downspouts and rain pipes for leaves and other debris. Make sure they
are always clean.
7. In the community, collaborate with neighbours to clean drainage.
8. If you have elevated areas in the house or a second or third floor, transfer the electrically-powered appliances
there to avoid possible flood damage.
9. As to supplies, you may buy ready-to-eat food products depending on the number of household members.
Stockpile water and other essential things.
10. If your local disaster response office announces a pre-emptive evacuation, do so. Never argue with the
people in authority.

During
1. Be on alert. Get updates from your local disaster response office or local news station (radio, TV and online
weather services through social media).
2. Do not travel. Typhoon warning is announced days earlier; so postpone schedules for travel.
3. Prepare emergency supplies, Go Bags, and evacuation protocols.
4. Note if your area is prone to landslide, storm surge, or flood.
5. If wind is strong, close windows and roll down curtains with weight anchors to serve as barriers in case the
window glass gets destroyed. Curtains will stop the smithereens being blown everywhere.
6. If you see signs of water rising, better turn off the main sources of electricity. Do keep your electric-powered
items stored in higher areas and refrain from using tem during flood.
7. If there is no electricity, note the safe usage of candles.
8. Do not go out as flying debris might cause injury or death. Do not wade along flooded areas to keep yourself
away from contacting water-borne diseases. If it is inevitable, wear protective gears such as raincoats and boots
to protect you. If already submerged in the flood, wash and clean body parts exposed to the floodwater. Cases of
electrocution also happen when wading in flooded areas.
9. If you are told to evacuate, grab your Go Bags and comply calmly. Follow the safe corridors to the assigned
evacuation sites.

After
1. Monitor and get updates from your local radio, TV, social media, and PAGASA and UP NOAH websites, if
they are accessible. You may also get updates from your local disaster response office.
2. If with injury like open wound, clean and disinfect them and cover. Do not wade in the flood with an open
wound submerged underwater.
3. If already evacuated and you come back to your heavily damaged house, make sure that you heed the advice
of the authorities regarding its safety and stability. Do not re-enter if there is no clearance.
4. Wear protective equipment like boots, gloves, helmets, and long sleeves in inspecting your house and avid
loose overhead and scattered debris on flooring. There might also be animals like snakes or centipedes which
can bite or sting you. Be aware of the water-borne diseases such as Leptospirosis which can be contacted not
only from flood but from moist soil, scattered debris, and other things if in contact with an open wound.
5. Watch out for live wires or any electrical outlet that may be submerged in water. Do not put on breakers. Get
advice from professional electricians before using the electricity.
6. Do not use submerged electrical appliances. Have them checked by an electrician first.
7. Send to the hospital any family member who exhibits fever, rashes, and other symptoms to avoid spread of a
communicable disease in your household.
8. Boil water before drinking as it may be contaminated.
9. Clean utensils and other stuff. Dispose things that may be ground for mosquitoes to breed like pop lids, cans,
tyres, or pots.
10. Do not do sightseeing over disaster areas following a flood. Your presence may hamper urgent emergency
response and rescue operations.
11. Always secure your area. Lock doors and windows and be on security alert.

Measures Before, during and after Hydro-meteorological hazards

(Flood)

Before
1. Discuss the plan with household or community members.
2. Check the website of UP NOAH for hazard mapping as to presence of floods in your vicinity and tendency
for landslides or storm surges.
3. Be updated about the progress of the typhoon through your local radio, TV, social media, and even from your
local disaster response office.
4. Bring outside possessions indoors or tie them down securely. This includes lawn furniture, garbage cans, and
other movable objects.
5. Pile up sand bags as barriers for slow entry of eater to your house.
6. Since some floods develop quickly, assign someone who will watch for rising of water. Evacuate as soon as
possible if there is advice or even if there are no warning but you feel you need to. Bring a Go Bag for every
member of the family or staff.
7. Mobilize to higher areas any household member who could not move fast like senior citizens or PWDs. Do
this also to your pets.
8. If near a river/riverbank with history of flood incidents or high count of casualties every rainy season, do pre-
emptive evacuation.

During
1. Be alert in monitoring your surroundings. Assign any member to keep watch on the rising water or news
alert.
2. Identify evacuation corridors if flash flood occurs. If a warning is raised in your area, evacuate to the
designated evacuation center or any place your deem to be ‘high’ and ‘dry’. Prepare emergency supplies, Go
Bags, and evacuation protocols.
3. Protect your property.
4. Be on alert mode. Get updates from your local disaster response office or local news station (radio, TV and
online weather services through social media).
5. Note also if you are in a landslide/mudslide area.
*Note: No After
Different tools used in monitoring Hydro-meteorological hazards
1. Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) - a display system for hydro-meteorological
operations.

2. Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS)- sensors that measures wind, temperature, moisture, cloud
bases, pressure, weather, and obscuration.

3. Cooperative Observation Equipment- measures temperature, precipitation.

4. Doppler Weather Radar- detects precipitation allowing for the display of precipitation.

5. Hydrologic Observing System- gauges that measure river stage/flow.

6. Marine and Tsunami Buoys- measure wave heights, wind and pressure or water depth.

7. Satellite- detects cloud tops, temperatures, moisture content, large scale winds, and sea surface temperatures.

8. Radiosonde and tracking system- measures wind, temperature, and moisture of the upper atmosphere.

9. Wind Profilers- samples wind speed and direction vertically from one location.

TASK!

A. Identify what is being described in each statement below. Write your answers on the space provided. After answering,
take a photo of your answer and send a copy to me online.

__PAGASA_____1. It is an agency which gives name to the typhoon that enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility
(PAR).
__River floods___2. It is caused by the precipitation over a large catchment area, melting of snow or both, which feeds a
river system.
___Typhoon_____3. It is a type of large storm system having circular or spiral violent winds, with hundreds of
kilometers or miles in diameter.
___Tornado_____4. It is a mobile, destructive vortex or violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel
shaped cloud.
_North western Pacific Basin_5. It is the most active tropical cyclone basin on earth and accounts for about 1/3 of the
world’s annual tropical cyclones.
___Landslide____6. It is otherwise known as landslip, slump, or failure.
__Urban flood___7. It is the inability of the soil to absorb water due to lack of drainage.
___Satellite_____8. It detects cloud tops, temperatures, moisture, moisture content, large scale winds, and sea surface
temperature.
____Storm______9. It is a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder and
lightning.
_Hydro-meteorological hazards_10. These are caused by extreme meteorological and climate events such as floods,
droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, landslides, or mudslides.