The whole publication in PDF - Culture in Development

Magnitude (Richter scale) 5.6 6.4
Destroy ed area of intensity 100 km² 1,500 km²
Population 420000 7000000
Death 5,000 – 6,000 58 – 60
Injured 20000 2540
Table 1: Earthquakes effects in Managua and California in 1972
(Kumekpor et al., 1989)
While natural hazards will continue to occur, human action can either reduce or enhance the vulnerability of
societies to these hazards. Using the forecasting and early warning systems is one way of preparing for natural
disasters. Following regional disaster experiences during the past few decades governments decided there was need
for a permanent regional mechanism to coordinate disaster management activities. They often cooperate with local
universities or other scientific institutions. This way the centres are able to make an immediate and coordinated
response to any disastrous event. What is more, they play an essential role in educating the local population and
training the staff of different organisations. Electronic media like the internet, television and radio play an important
role in the forecasting and warning systems. Television and radio are particularly vital in providing local information
as well (Burton, n.d.). Many of the monitoring and early warning systems are based on remote sensing, especially
on satellite observation. It is only through bilateral or multilateral cooperation that we can afford these very
expensive and high-tech systems (see also section below on International Cooperation).
Some major forecasting and warning centres, global or regional, are:
• National Earthquake Information Centre (NEIC);
• National Hurricane Centre – Tropical Prediction Centre (NHC/TP C);
• Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA);
• Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC);
• Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), Disaster Management Support Group (DMSG);
• Hazards Research Lab (HRL).
In short, natural disasters cannot be prevented, but measures can be taken to eliminate or reduce the possibility of
trouble (Brandt-Grau, 2000).
Many useful and practical websites can be found on the internet on natural disasters, their prediction, response
and recovery. At the very least, the websites from the Natural Hazards Center, CDERA and CARDIN (Caribbean
Disaster Information Network) should be checked.
Much has been written about all kinds of natural disasters. For a selection of recent general literature see Abbott,
2002; Alexander, 2000; Anonymous, 2001c; Bell, 1999; Bradford et al., 2001; Burton et al., 1993; Chapman, 1999;
Davis, 2001; Ebert, 1997; Erickson, 2001; Godschalk, 1998; Harris, 1990; IDNDR, 1997; Ingleton, 1999;
Junchaya, 1999; Kovach, 1995; Kreimer et al., 1991; Lewis, 1999; Martin, 1998; McCall et al., 1992; McCann et
al., 1995; M ishra et al., 19 93; Mitchell, 1999; S inha, 1992; Smith, 2000; Varley, 1994. Especially for Latin America
see Talero de Husain et al., 1996 and Zavala et al., 1985. For building on safety in disaster-prone areas see the
bibliography by Clayton et al., 1994 and Coburn, 1995. For the protection of (historical) buildings against natural
disasters see Nelson, 1991. For early warning systems see Burton, n.d.; Carrara et al., 1995; IDNDR, 1998; Oliver,
1989.
For the rest there are numerous journals like the Journal of Natural Disaster Science, Natural Disaster Studies,
Natural Disaster Survey Report, Natural Disaster Reduction and Natural Disaster Science.
The following natural disasters are discussed below: tropical cyclones, forest fires, earthquakes, volcanoes, floods
and landslides.
6.3.2 Tropical cyclones
Tropical cyclones combine destructive winds with storm surges and exceptional levels of rainfall. The adjective
‘tropical’ is used for good reason, as one of the conditions necessary for a cyclone to develop into a natural disaster
is that it has to be located at least 4 - 5 degrees latitude from the Equator. Tropical cyclone is the generic term used
by the World Meteorological Organisation to define weather systems developing over tropical or subtropical waters
in which winds exceed 34 knots or 63 km/h. An average cyclone can bring more than 250 millimetre of rain in less
than a day and have wind velocities of 200 km/h. Tropical cyclones also have a definite organised surface
circulation. In the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific they are called hurricanes, in the Western Pacific typhoons, in the
Indian Ocean just cyclones and in Australia, Willy-Willy (Anonymous, 2001b).
Strangely enough cyclones can have positive effects too. In an old article Sugg discusses the drought-breaking
effects of some tropical cyclones in the USA and tabulates which cyclones have been most beneficial in this respect
(Sugg, 1968).
As a result of cyclones buildings and their contents are endangered, damaged by enormous wind-forces and
storm surges, causing landslides and flooding. Public utilities like power lines, water and gas distribution lines, and
drainage systems are subject to severe dam age. Fallen trees and flying debris cause damage. Communication is
difficult as telephone lines, radio and television antennae are blown down. Roads will be blocked by debris or fallen
trees (Anonymous, 2001b).