Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar 2008
Now, you may be wondering why we are now looking at a cyclone after having studied Hurricane Katrina as we usually compare two of the same things. Well I can answer that one for you. A cyclone is the same as a hurricane - they are just different names. It jsut depends on where they are. Across the globe 'hurricanes' as us British folk call them have different names including: hurricane, typhoon, cyclones and my personal fave Willy-Willies.
Right, grab yourselves a blank map of the world. You need to shade in where these storms happen depending on their name. Don't forget to include a key so you know your cyclones from your Willy-Willies.
This website should help you locate your storms.
Right, grab yourselves a blank map of the world. You need to shade in where these storms happen depending on their name. Don't forget to include a key so you know your cyclones from your Willy-Willies.
This website should help you locate your storms.
CASE STUDY: Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar 2008
The cause of this cyclone was low pressure during April of 2008 in the Bay of Bengal. By the 29th, a cyclone had formed. IT was predicted that the cyclone would hit Bangladesh, but it swerved and hit Myanmar.
What do you think would have happened if the cyclone hit Bangladesh instead of Myanmar?
What other issues do you think both Bangladesh and Myanmar face in terms of natural disasters? Can you create links between all of these natural disasters to form an overall picture of what life must be like living in either country?
What do you think would have happened if the cyclone hit Bangladesh instead of Myanmar?
What other issues do you think both Bangladesh and Myanmar face in terms of natural disasters? Can you create links between all of these natural disasters to form an overall picture of what life must be like living in either country?
QUICK MYANMAR FACTS:
-LEDC
-Population = 55 million (roughly hthe same as the UK)
-One of the poorest countries in South East Asia
-Restricted development
-Governmental issues (how could the responses to this cyclone be affected?)
-LEDC
-Population = 55 million (roughly hthe same as the UK)
-One of the poorest countries in South East Asia
-Restricted development
-Governmental issues (how could the responses to this cyclone be affected?)
Check out the link above for before/after pictures of Myanmar's flooding.
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE: Cyclone Nargis destroyed 83% of mangroves which were affected by Nargis. This means that the natural flood defenses have been destroyed. Their roots systems should catch water and other materials and absorb wave energy. Yet, mangrove swamps get turned into money-making initiatives: shrimp farms (Forest Gump and Bubba would love this), hotels, farms and more housing. Every cloud...? In all seriousness, if these mangroves had not been destroyed, less death and destruction would have occurred.
EFFECTS OF THE STORM: By 2nd May storm winds had hit 217kph, bring rain and storm surges with it, especially to the low lying areas.
-1.5 million people were affected by Nargis (Think: How are people who do not live in Myanmar still affected by the cyclone?)
-125,000 deaths
-95% of building destroyed
-Millions homeless
-Sewage systems leaked
-Electricity lines destroyed, roads swept away, dirty water and growth of diseases.
FLOODING was the biggest issue. Sea level rose as the area was experiencing low pressure which flooded low lying areas. Some people drowned, whilst others were made homeless. Development was hindered for years
Can you sort these effects into primary and secondary effects? Economic,social and environmental?
RESPONSE: The world was in shock as to the way the government responded to the cyclone. As the government was corrupt, they left the army to deal with the response, yet their efforts were not good or quick enough; cities were favoured over rural areas for aid and foreign aid workers were restricted to certain regions. This all held back aid responses.
-1/10 received aid 1 week after the cyclone hit
-Falsified information was given out to people stating only children could receive aid
-Journalists and aid workers were often attacked.
EXAM QUESTION: For an LEDC you have studied, locate and describe how the effects of the natural disaster and explain how successful the responses were. (8 marks)
THINK: Do you think MEDC governments could have done more to help? If so why?
COMPARE: Compare Katrina to Nargis. How could Myanmar learn form Katrina and vice versa?
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE: Cyclone Nargis destroyed 83% of mangroves which were affected by Nargis. This means that the natural flood defenses have been destroyed. Their roots systems should catch water and other materials and absorb wave energy. Yet, mangrove swamps get turned into money-making initiatives: shrimp farms (Forest Gump and Bubba would love this), hotels, farms and more housing. Every cloud...? In all seriousness, if these mangroves had not been destroyed, less death and destruction would have occurred.
EFFECTS OF THE STORM: By 2nd May storm winds had hit 217kph, bring rain and storm surges with it, especially to the low lying areas.
-1.5 million people were affected by Nargis (Think: How are people who do not live in Myanmar still affected by the cyclone?)
-125,000 deaths
-95% of building destroyed
-Millions homeless
-Sewage systems leaked
-Electricity lines destroyed, roads swept away, dirty water and growth of diseases.
FLOODING was the biggest issue. Sea level rose as the area was experiencing low pressure which flooded low lying areas. Some people drowned, whilst others were made homeless. Development was hindered for years
Can you sort these effects into primary and secondary effects? Economic,social and environmental?
RESPONSE: The world was in shock as to the way the government responded to the cyclone. As the government was corrupt, they left the army to deal with the response, yet their efforts were not good or quick enough; cities were favoured over rural areas for aid and foreign aid workers were restricted to certain regions. This all held back aid responses.
-1/10 received aid 1 week after the cyclone hit
-Falsified information was given out to people stating only children could receive aid
-Journalists and aid workers were often attacked.
EXAM QUESTION: For an LEDC you have studied, locate and describe how the effects of the natural disaster and explain how successful the responses were. (8 marks)
THINK: Do you think MEDC governments could have done more to help? If so why?
COMPARE: Compare Katrina to Nargis. How could Myanmar learn form Katrina and vice versa?