「Lessons」カテゴリーアーカイブ

Day_177: Earthquake Preparedness and Response: Lessons from Turkey’s Seismic History

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The recent severe earthquake in Turkey has caused significant suffering throughout the country. This catastrophe serves as a stark reminder that natural disasters are far from ordinary occurrences. It is essential for us to learn and grow from each experience, not only within the affected country but also on a global scale. The article discusses Turkey’s earthquake history and how the nation has implemented lessons learned from past events. This analysis highlights the importance of continuous learning in order to better prepare for and respond to such disasters.

Introduction to Turkey’s seismic history

Turkey, a country bordering Europe and Asia, has suffered earthquakes before. It is incredibly vulnerable to these disasters because of its location on the seismically active Anatolian Plate. Turkey has historically seen some of the most damaging earthquakes in the world. Understanding the nation’s seismic history and drawing from its experiences can teach other countries valuable lessons on preparing for and responding to earthquakes.

A better understanding of how to predict, prepare for, and respond to these catastrophes has been made possible by the terrible impacts of earthquakes on Turkey. The country’s response plans have improved, using new engineering innovations and construction techniques to reduce casualties and property damage. In this post, we will examine Turkey’s seismic past, the significance of Adobe architecture there, and the lessons we can draw from Turkey to improve our readiness for and response to earthquakes.

Understanding earthquakes: Causes and types

Energy is released during the shifting and grinding of tectonic plates, which results in earthquakes. Large plates that make up the Earth’s crust are constantly moving and can collide, divide, or slide past one another, which can cause the ground to shake. Tectonic, volcanic, and induced earthquakes are the three main categories of earthquakes. The movement of the Earth’s plates causes the most frequent earthquakes, known as tectonic earthquakes. While induced earthquakes are brought on by human activity, like the mining of natural resources or the construction of huge reservoirs, volcanic earthquakes are brought on by the flow of magma beneath the Earth’s surface.

The Anatolian Plate, which is being compressed between the Eurasian and Arabian Plates, is Turkey’s leading cause of seismic activity. This tectonic activity has created numerous fault lines nationwide, making it vulnerable to earthquakes. For instance, the North Anatolian Fault, a strike-slip fault with a length of more than 1,000 kilometers, has caused multiple disastrous earthquakes in Turkey’s history.

The Significance of Adobe Structures in Turkey

Turkish architecture has long used adobe constructions built of soil mixed with straw or other organic materials. These constructions, frequently seen in rural locations, have served as fortifications, houses, and public facilities. The key benefits of Adobe structures are their affordability, simplicity, and great thermal qualities, which assist in maintaining a comfortable interior temperature all year round.

However, regarding seismic activity, Adobe constructions also suffer from serious drawbacks. These structures are particularly prone to collapsing during earthquakes because of their weight and low tensile strength. Throughout Turkey’s history, many large earthquakes have painfully illustrated this susceptibility, resulting in the death of countless people and extensive destruction.

Due to this, Turkey’s rising focus is on enhancing the seismic performance of Adobe structures. Researchers and engineers have been working on developing innovative techniques and materials to increase the earthquake resistance of these traditional structures and preserve their cultural relevance while ensuring the safety of their occupants’ safety.

Major earthquakes in Turkey’s history and their impact

Throughout its history, Turkey has been the site of many large earthquakes, some of which have had devastating effects. The Erzincan earthquake in 1939, the Izmit earthquake in 1999, and the Van earthquake in 2011 are three of the most famous. These seismic occurrences resulted in extensive property damage and fatalities and changed the nation’s strategy for earthquake preparedness and response.

Approximately 33,000 people perished in the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Erzincan in 1939, and many more were injured or left homeless. This catastrophe made it clear that better seismic monitoring, prediction, and earthquake-resistant building techniques are required.

With nearly 17,000 fatalities and more than 50,000 injuries, the 1999 Izmit earthquake, which registered a 7.6 on the Richter scale, was among the deadliest and most catastrophic in modern Turkish history. The significant destruction brought on by this incident highlights the significance of strengthening earthquake preparedness and response strategies.

The most recent earthquake, the 7.1 magnitude Van earthquake in 2011, significantly damaged the Adobe structures in the area, killing over 600 people and displacing thousands more. This catastrophe also emphasized the necessity for improvements in construction methods and supplies for Adobe to improve its seismic performance.

Earthquake preparedness: What we can learn from Turkey

Turkey’s earthquake experiences have taught the country important lessons about preparedness. Adopting strict building regulations that account for seismic risks is crucial to earthquake preparedness. Turkey has made tremendous progress in this area; as of present, the country’s building codes demand that buildings be built resistant to earthquakes.

The creation and upkeep of early warning systems is vital to earthquake preparedness. Turkey has made significant investments in seismic monitoring and early warning systems, which can give locals crucial information in the minutes before an earthquake. By giving people enough time to take refuge or flee dangerous structures, this early warning can help save lives and reduce damage.

Finally, vital elements of earthquake preparedness are public awareness and education. Turkey has put a lot of effort into informing its inhabitants about the dangers of earthquakes and the essential safety measures to follow in the case of one. These are examples of regular earthquake exercises in schools, public awareness campaigns, and the distribution of earthquake safety informational materials.

Building earthquake-resistant Adobe structures

Several important regions have been the focus of efforts to increase the seismic performance of Adobe structures in Turkey. To strengthen their tensile strength and earthquake resistance, old Adobe buildings have been reinforced with contemporary materials like steel or concrete. Concrete columns, reinforced Adobe bricks, or the installation of steel reinforcement bars can all be used to achieve this.

Another strategy is the creation of fresh construction methods that more evenly disperse seismic pressures across the building. Using adaptable hardwood frameworks, using seismic-resistant design concepts, or using cutting-edge materials like fiber-reinforced Adobe are a few examples of how to do this.

Turkish scientists and engineers are also looking into the possibility of enhancing the earthquake resistance of Adobe constructions by employing locally derived ecological materials. This includes using natural fibers to increase the tensile strength of Adobe bricks, such as hemp or straw.

Effective earthquake response strategies in Turkey

The tactics used in Turkey to respond to earthquakes have also been informed. The quick deployment of rescue teams to find and aid stranded or injured people is crucial to an effective earthquake response. Specialized search and rescue squads in Turkey have received funding for training and equipment, and they are frequently among the first to arrive in earthquake-affected areas.

The provision of temporary housing and other services to displaced populations is a vital component of the earthquake response. Turkey has established an effective system for disaster response, including pre-stocked emergency supplies and temporary housing that can be quickly distributed to impacted communities after an earthquake.

Finally, effective earthquake response requires coordinated efforts from national and local governments, non-governmental organizations, and international partners. In the wake of significant earthquakes, Turkey has shown the usefulness of such cooperation, with international aid frequently playing an essential part in the nation’s rebuilding efforts.

Public awareness and education on earthquake preparedness

As informed populations are more prepared to respond to devastating disasters, public awareness, and education are essential to earthquake preparedness. The dissemination of educational materials, public awareness campaigns, and integration of earthquake safety education into school curricula are just a few of Turkey’s steps to increase general understanding regarding earthquake preparedness and response.

The “Safe School Program” is one significant part of Turkey’s public awareness campaigns. Schools are assessed for their capacity to withstand earthquakes as part of this program, and any necessary adjustments are made to protect the safety of students and staff in the event of an earthquake. Regular earthquake exercises are another curriculum feature that aids in preparing children and teachers for seismic occurrences.

International Collaboration for earthquake preparedness and Response

Because earthquakes are worldwide in scope, successful earthquake preparedness and response depend on international cooperation. The establishment of uniform building norms, the exchange of seismic monitoring data, and the provision of aid for disaster response are just a few of the ways that Turkey has actively participated in worldwide initiatives to increase earthquake resilience.

The World Housing Encyclopedia, which attempts to offer details on the seismic performance of structures worldwide, is a key endeavor in this area. Turkey has contributed to this effort by offering important information on the seismic performance of its conventional Adobe structures.

Building a resilient future for Turkey and Beyond

Turkey’s earthquake experiences taught us essential lessons about preparedness and response. Turkey has made tremendous progress in lessening the effects of earthquakes on its population by enacting strict construction rules, creating early warning systems, and improving public awareness about earthquake safety.

Researchers and engineers are looking for new methods and materials to increase the seismic performance of conventional Adobe structures in Turkey, which is a continuous effort. These initiatives could significantly impact earthquake-prone areas worldwide where traditional building materials and techniques are still widely used.

Finally, increasing earthquake resilience globally requires global cooperation and knowledge sharing. By cooperating, nations can benefit from one another’s experiences and create plans to lessen the effects of earthquakes on their populations.

To sum up, Turkey’s seismic past warns about the significance of earthquake preparedness and reaction. We can create a more resilient future for ourselves and future generations by implementing the lessons discovered from Turkey’s experiences in our communities.

Day_166: Interview Report: Hurricane Katrina Response (3)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Date and time
7 May 2006

Visit
New Orleans Homeland Security and Public Safety Office
(New Orleans City Office of Homeland Security and Public Safety )

Interviewee
Colonel and Director

Subject
Hurricane Katrina Disaster Response
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Day_103 : New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina in 2005

There are three drainage canals in New Orleans. There is also a pump station for each. Since New Orleans is below sea level, water is constantly pumped from these pump stations and drained into Lake Pontchartrain.

The breakwater was corrupted by the storm surge. The water was flowing into the canal from the lake, and at the same time, the pump station had the maximum pressure with the water. The pumps were broken and became not-functioned.

After the hurricane, there was only one evacuation route that crossed the bridge over Mississippi. However, the route had been blocked. These also affected support activities.

<Measures for breakwater>
At present, the Corps of Engineers will set a lock at the entrance of the canal and close them to prevent water from flowing into the canal since this year.

The challenge from this year is the evacuation of West Bank citizens. Because the levees are weak, hurricanes can easily break them.

The levee can be effective this year, but the problem is that in the next two years, the pump station will have insufficient capacity to pump water.

< Future measures of the city >
The following three goals are set as future measures. First, leave no one in the shelter. Second, the city will assist those who have no access to evacuation. Third, improve the safety of city facilities and property before and after the disaster.

Another important point this year is to let all citizens evacuate two days before Hurricane hit. The challenge is the reality that many people would not try to evacuate. As a background, the levee is to be broken, needs to have a terrible situation imagination.

There is a plan to install floodgates in a wide range of wetlands in eastern New Orleans to prevent storm surges.

Political challenge, New Orleans, including the peripheral has originally 100 million people, was an energy supply base, there is a tremendous national influence, the people here have to work.

As a countermeasure, the city has provided a wireless system. The system had been unavailable after the Hurricane.

A radio station in City Hall as a countermeasure against rumors which had become a social issue during Katrina was set up to keep media members staying and unifying the correct information.

Related information

The NIED team went to New Orleans and Missippi coastal areas to investigate.
Characteristics of the 2005 Hurricane Katrina Disasters

The community data center is the best to investigate to grasp the trend by using stats.

Day_100 : A Human Suffering Exacerbation-Data from Greater New Orleans Community Data Center

Day_164 : Development Environment Disaster Cycle Model

As mentioned before in Day_56, it is clear the model, development-environment-disaster cycle model is an analyzer that can be considered in a wide range of areas. In other words, this analysis perspective raises the sociological position of natural disasters, and the stepping stone of their historical and geographical connections become clearer. We believe that it will even be possible to provide various perspectives to prevent it from being guided.

Day_56 : A cyclic model of development-environment-disaster

Analytical Viewing Angle by Causal Cycle Model: Case of Isewan Typhoon Disaster and Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster

In this section, Isewan typhoon disaster and Indian Ocean tsunami disaster are specifically analyzed using the analysis view angle, the causal cycle model of development, environment, and disaster. The first is the Isewan Typhoon that hit Nagoya on September 26, 1959. The disaster was a turning point of disaster management in postwar Japan, but focusing on driftwood damage, which is one of the important aspects of the disaster, the economic recovery of postwar Japan, trade with the United States, and Japan. Forest management, natural disasters such as landslides, the problem of hay fever, which is also called national illness, and the inter-relationship between deforestation and natural disasters in the Philippines, which becomes today, will become clear. Second, regarding the Indian Ocean Tsunami that caused enormous damage on December 26, 2004, mainly in the countries around the Indian Ocean, the damage in Thailand will be analyzed. This analysis reveals the development-environment-disaster in Thailand and its relationship with Japan and Western countries.

The figures are shown as follows:

Figure 1: Interconnections of Typhoon Isewan Disaster

Figure 2: Interconnections of Indian Ocean Tsunami Disasters in Thailand

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Day_142 : World Disaster Chronology-1994-1995

 

Date Place Disaster Type Situations
1994.01.17 US, Southeastern Inland Earthquake 1994 Northridge earthquake *
M6.8, 60(D), one of the costliest natural disasters of US history
1994.02.15 Indonesia, West (Sumatra Island) Inland Earthquake M6.6～7.0, Over 200(DM)
1994.05- Bangladesh Cyclone Over 170 (DM)
1994.05.13 Afghanistan Inland Earthquake M6.0, Over160(DM)
1994.06- India / Pakistan Heat Wave Over 400 (D)
1994.06- Ethiopia Drought Over 5,000(D), Food shortage
1994.06- China, Central eastern Heavy Rain, Flood Over 700(DM), A part of Shanghai was inundated
1994.06.02 Indonesia, South (Java Island) Submarine Earthquake M7.8、死不270以上、津波。
1994.06.06 Colombia, South Inland Earthquake M6.6, 300-800(DM), Debris flow
1994.06.09 Bolivia, Peru Deep-focus Earthquake 1994 Bolivia earthquake M8.2 10(D)
1994.07- Rwanda Heat Wave Over 10,000(D), combined with Civil War
1994.08.18 Algeria, North Inland Earthquake M5.7, Over 150(DM)
1994.10.04 Japan, Kunashiri Island Submarine Earthquake The 1994 Hokkaido Toho Oki Earthquake M8.2-8.3, 15(DM), Tsunami
1994.11- India South Cyclone 190(DM)
1994.11.14 The Philippines Inland Earthquake M7.1 Over70(DM) Tsunami
1994.11- Italy Heavy Rain, Flood Over 60(DM)
1994.11- Egypt Lightning 560(DM) Lightning damage to Oil facilities
1994.11- Haiti, Cuba Hurricane, Flood Over 700(DM)
1995.01.17 Japan Inland Earthquake The 1995 Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake * M6.9～7.3 5,500～6,400（DM）
1995.03- Afghanistan Heavy Rain, Flood, Landslide Over 360(DM)
1995.04- Bangladesh Strong Wind 700(DM)
1995.05.27 Sakhalin, North Inland Earthquake The 1995 Neftegorsk earthquake,M7.1～7.5, Over 1,989(DM) Neftegorsk city was destroyed and vanished from the map after the disaster
1995.05- Brazil Heavy rain, Flood. Landslide Over 80(DM)
1995.05- China Heavy rain, Flood Over 1,100(DM), Yangtze river flood
1995.06- India, Pakistan Heat Wave Over 800(D)
1995.06- Japan Heavy rain, Flood 9(DM), Destroyed Approx.200, Inundated over15,000
1995.07- US Heat Wave Over 800(D)
1995.07- D.P.R.Korea Heavy rain, Flood Over 60(DM)
1995.07- Thailand Heavy rain, Flood Over 200(DM)
1995.08- Morocco Heavy rain, Flood Over 150(DM)
1995.9- The Philippines Heavy rain, Flood Over 540(DM)
1995.11- The Philippines Typhoon, Flood Over 780(DM)
1995.12-  Kazakhstan Cold Wave Over 100(DM) Snowstorm

D: The number of Death M: Missing number DM: The dead and missing number

Day_84 : Northridge and Kobe

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Day_140 : Natural Disasters in Europe (2) Vajont Dam Collapse


europe-pic
Figure   The Europe

Concerning hydrological, meteorological, and climatological disasters, heavy rain, and storm disasters are caused by a low  pressure in the Iceland area developed in a winter season. A cold atmospheric current coming from Arctic gain a warmer vapor stream from the Gulf Stream and develop the strong atmospheric depression in the area. This causes the strong winds and high tidal waves along the coastal areas of the North Sea. Netherlands and England can be highlighted. Netherlands had storm surges in 1530 and 1570. The death toll were approximately 400,000(1530) and 70,000(1570) for each. The 1953 depression made 1800 death toll. This disaster reached to England also. England’s disasters were the 1703 Thames river flood and the 2003 Heatwave. The temperature was 8-10 over than an average year on August 2003 (Day_38).

Danube, Elbe, Rhine, and Seine rivers are on the gentle slope make slow inundations caused by heavy rains. On August 2002, the Central Europe had a heavy rain, this makes Danube and Elbe rivers overflows in Germany, Czech, Austria, and Hungary. The death toll is approximately 100, affected is over 100,000. Historical Buildings in the city such as Prague,Dresden, and so on along the rivers were also inundated.

Alps mountains have had landslides, debris flows, slope failures, and so on. The particular example is the landslide in Dolomites, North Italy in 1963. Overflows from Vajont dam caused by large-scale landslide attacked the village in downstream ares.The death toll is approximately 2600.

A brief explanation

 

An Interviews based explanation

On August 2003, the West Europe had 8-10 degrees celsius higher than the average. This heat wave killed 15000 in France, 7000 in Germany, 4000 in Spain, 4000 in Italy, and so on, totally 35000.

In summer 2010, Russia had a heat wave and this makes wildfire. The wildfire was spread out and it took over 1.5 months to extinguish.Many villages were destroyed by the fire. The Moscow was covered by harmful smoke. Over 55,000 were killed by the heat wave and the smoke in Russia.

To be continued……

Day_139(Rev) : A Disaster Recovery in an Aging Society : An Okushiri Town’s Case

 

Based on the disaster recovery theories as mentioned before in Day_92, A Okushiri town’s disaster recovery could be predicted, however, the town still has a lot of difficulties in the disaster recovery process. This was shown in Day_75.

Day_92 : Disaster Recovery Theory (2)

 

Day_75 : Okushiri Island (2)

 

okushiri-recov

Figure 1 Demographic Changes in Okushiri Town

The 1993 southwest-off Hokkaido earthquake hit Okushiri Island severely. Casualties are 198 (including the missing number)and the economic damage indicator mentioned in the above is 0.03(Day_92). This means human suffering is relatively high however economic damage is not so high to the country. However, aid volume from outside is 14.4 percent, as the indicator, and this is so outrageously huge compared to disasters in Day_92. This can be said in the reflection of the Japanese economic situation during the time.

Okushiri town had faced population decreasing and aging issues before the disaster. After the disaster, Okushiri town had a lot of aids, especially from the inside of Japan. Japan had a very good economy at that time, so the situation enabled them to have such huge aids. Even though the large economic assistance, the town’s demographic tendency before the disaster was facilitated and faces a severe recovery process.

The population was dropped to the 2nd worst in Japanese municipalities between 2005 and 2010 after the disaster. Okushiri’s population was decreasing before and after the disaster, for example, 27.4 percent decreasing from 1990 to 2009. In addition, the population of the island had a declining tendency before the disaster and this was facilitated by the disaster. The decreasing population before the disaster can be confirmed as 5,490 in 1980 and 4,604 in 1990, this means 16 percent decrease.

The aging proportion increased two times from 1990(15.6) to 2010(32.7). The aging proportion (over 65) before the disaster was increased from 10.0 percent in 1980 to 15.6 percent in 1990. The Japanese economy was expanding at the time and a huge amount of aid was coming to the town from outside and installed, however, this Okushiri town’s case supports the recovery theory(Figure 1).

Over 20 years after the disaster, Okushiri town gives us a lot of lessons. The followings are the points that we can learn from the lessons to build a resilient society in demographic challenges.

1. Financial aids allocations: balancing soft and hard countermeasures
2. A Long perspective on the disaster recovery process

Concerning the Financial aids allocations, a huge amount of financial assistance rushed to the town, however, the assistance went to the infrastructures, building houses, purchasing fishermen’s ships, and so on to help the people’s lives in the town after the disaster. This shows more emphasis on the reconstruction than the recovery.

With respect to the recovery process, they tend to miss a long perspective. The people in the town could rebuild their houses and purchase new fishermen’s ships. Infrastructures are also rebuilt after the disaster. However, they have had not so attractive industries which the younger generation would like to work and remain in the town to live their lives. The Okushiri becomes high resistance against the disasters town, however, the population is decreasing and aging is facilitating dramatically. This means not so high resilient town. In addition, the cost of infrastructure maintenance will be a burden for the town in the long run.

To be continued……

# This post will be partly published as a paper.

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Day_136 : Disaster-Related Death (1)

Kobe Earthquake : 919 (22Dec.2015)
Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami : 3,472 (31Mar.2016)

What are the numbers?

The above numbers are the numbers of disaster-related deaths. The disaster-related death means the death which is not directly caused by hazards such as sickness, disease, and committing suicide. Especially , the disaster-related death number of GEJET is still increasing even 5 years after the disaster. This reflects aging society. The elderly people tends to have sickness and losing hope without family members. Local governments have been working hard to prevent such tragedies. They are visiting and watching the victims individually.

Day_131 : Italy-Recent earthquake and past earthquake disasters (2)

CNN: (October 30)A powerful 6.6-magnitude earthquake rocked central Italy on Sunday morning, injuring at least 20 people, in the strongest tremor to hit the country in more than three decades. The earthquake follows tremors last week and comes on the heels of a devastating quake in August, which killed nearly 300 people and flattened entire villages.

Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) still does not list this earthquake situation.This earthquake is severer than this August Earthquake(Day_107). Earthquakes in Italy happened mostly central and southern part of Italy around the

Day_107 : Italy-Recent earthquake and past earthquake disasters

Natural disaster trends are usually from human sufferings to economic damage. In Italy, main natural disaster is the earthquake and follow the trends as you can confirm below.
However, recent earthquake disasters in Italy are so severe.  With this August earthquake, the number of casualties would be over 550. The disaster recovery is also the issue. As mentioned in Day_107, “Italy has a poor record of rebuilding after quakes. About 8,300 people who were forced to leave their houses after a deadly earthquake in L’Aquila in 2009 are still living in temporary accommodation(Reuters).”

Table 1 and Table 2 show the 1900-2016 top 10 deadliest and costliest disasters in Italy (EM-DAT).

Table 1  Totals deaths
Italy deadliest

Table 2  Total damage
Italy costliest disasters

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Day_127 : World Disaster Chronology-1990-91

Date Place Disaster Type Situations
1990.01- Indonesia Heavy Rain, Flood Over 130(DM)
1990.03- Bangladesh Heavy Rain, Flood 170(DM)
1990.04- Africa, East Heavy Rain, Flood Over 140(DM)
1990.04.26 China, Qinghai Inland Earthquake M6.5, Over 120(DM) Landslide
1990.05- India Cyclone, Flood Over 3,000(DM)
1990.05.29 Peru, Central Inland Earthquake M6.5,130-200 (DM),Landslide
1990.06- Japan, Kyushu Heavy Rain, Flood 27(DM),Injured 80, Destroyed approx.500, Inundated over 42,000
1990.06.21 Iran, North Inland Earthquake 1990 Manjil–Rudbar earthquake*1),M7.3-7.7, 30,000-50,000(DM), destroyed several towns 
1990.07.16 The Philippines, Luzon Inland Earthquake 1990 Luzon earthquake*2), (M7.8),
1,700-2,400 (DM)
1990.08- China Heavy Rain, Flood Over 300(DM)
1990.08- The Philippines Typhoon, Flood 230(DM)
1990.09- Korea Heavy Rain, Flood Over 130(DM)
1990.09- Japan, Northeast Typhoon, Flood 40(DM), Injured 130, Destroyed approx.16,000, Inundation Over18,000
1990.10- Bangladesh Cyclone, Flood Over 3,000(DM)
1990.11- Tha Philippines Typhoon, Flood Over 350(DM)
1991.02.01 Afganistan Inland Earthquake M6.4,200-700(DM)
1991.04.22 Costa Rica Inland Earthquake M7.6, 70(D) with Panama
1991.04.29 USSR(Georgia) Inland Earthquake M7.0, Over100(DM)
1991.04- Bangladesh Cyclone, Flood 1991 Bangladesh cyclone*3), Over 139,000(DM). This disaster was among the deadliest tropical cyclones on record. 
1991.06- Japan, Kyushu Volcanic eruption Mt.Unzen Volcanic eruption*4),Pyroclastic flow,Over 40(D)
1991.06- The Philippines, Luzon Volcanic eruption Mt. Pinatubo Volcano eruption*5), 700-1000(DM)
1991.06- Pakistan Heat wave Over 300(DM)
1991.06- China Heavy rain, Flood Over 400(DM)
1991.07- India Heavy rain, Flood Over 900(DM)
1991.07- China Typhoon,Flood 200(DM)
1991.08- Korea Typhoon,Flood 100(DM)
1991.09- China Landslide Over 270(DM)
1991.09- Japan, all areas Typhoon,Flood 1991 Typhoon No.19, 62(DM)*6), Injured1,500, Destroyed approx.170,000, Inundation over 22,000
1991.10.20 India, North Inland Earthquake M6.8-7.0, 770～2,000(DM)
1991.11- The Philippines, Central Typhoon, Flood Over 6,300(DM)*7)
1992.01- Bangladesh Cold Wave Over130(DM)

DM: The number of dead and missing.

1) Iran is one of the most vulnerable country on earthquake disasters.
The below Day_81 can be checked.
2) Buguio city was severely hit by this earthquake. The city is also vulnerable to landslide disasters. 2009 Typhoon Pepeng hit the Buguio city. There were some issues in this city. Urbanization is the one of the causes.
NIED natural disaster research report
3) Some past posts can be referred. The below Day_117 can be checked.
4) Some past posts can be referred.The below Day_65 can be checked.
5) A huge cloud of volcanic ash and gas rises above Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, on June 12, 1991. Three days later, the volcano exploded in the second-largest volcanic eruption on Earth in this century.Following this Mount Pinatubo’s cataclysmic June 15, 1991, eruption, thousands of roofs collapsed under the weight of ash made wet by heavy rains (see example in photo above). Ash deposits from the eruption have also been remobilized by monsoon and typhoon rains to form giant mudflows of volcanic materials (lahars), which have caused more destruction than the eruption itself(http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/fs113-97/).
6) Itsukushima Shrine, its complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was damaged.
7) The Ormoc region was inundated by Tropical Storm Uring.The city government recorded 4,922 deaths, 3,000 missing persons, 14,000 destroyed houses. We call this disaster “Ormoc Tragedy”

Day_81 : Earthquake disasters in Asia (1) – Iran

Day_117 : Bangladesh-Disasters, Lands, and Statistics (2)

 

Day_65 : 1991 Unzen Fugendake Volcano Eruption

 

Day_124 : Chain Reactions of Economic Damage- 2011 Chao Phraya River Flood in Thailand (3) Horizontal and Vertical Damage Exacerbations

Continue to explain the chain reactions of economic damage caused by Chao Phraya river flood. There were horizontal and vertical damage exacerbations types.

Concerning the horizontal damage exacerbations, we sometimes neglect indirect severe impacts caused by disasters. However, in this global world, economic activities are connected each other and so do the impacts. The following Figure 1 shows the three types of disaster exacerbations for example. The first category is “All or most factories of one’s own as well as those of partners suffer serious flood damage”. This category is the severest. The second category is “One’s factories suffer serious damage, but partners suffer no or light damage”. The third category is “One’s factories suffer no or light damage while partners suffer serious damage”. However, if the one’s factory totally relies on the partners which are affected by the disaster could have a very serious impact.

supply_holizontal
Figure 1  Damage types and severities (Horizontal)

With respect to the vertical damage exacerbation, the key word is the suppliers’ responsibility. For example, a big major car company has the responsibility for customers to supply cars, subcontractors have the responsibility for the car company to supply the parts,  sub-subcontractors have the responsibility for the subcontractors to supply the parts of the parts, sub-sub-subcontractors have the responsibility for the sub-subcontractors to supply the parts of the parts of the parts, and so on. The numbers of the companies become larger along with this vertical pyramidal structure. However, their resources are opposite as mentioned in Figure 2. Industrial estates and parks ordered the evacuation for the companies very slowly at that time of the flood because of some reasons (The reasons will be explained). However, the big companies continued their activities until the time, so sub and sub-sub and sub-sub-sub contractors could not evacuate until the bigger (upstream) companies’ evacuation decision making because of the supplier’s responsibilities. The big companies could evacuate so fast and effectively. They have the resources to do so. However, smaller companies could not evacuate so fast because they needed to wait until the bigger company’s evacuation decision and they tended to have limited resources along with the structure. They, for instance, could not move heavy machines to the upper floors. They did not have enough employees, systems, or plans to do so.

supply_vertical
Figure 2  Damage types and severities (Vertical)

These are the outlines of the disaster damage exacerbation of the supply chains.  These are presented at several meetings in Japan.

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