Natural Hazards
Introduction
Floods are a natural hazard. There have been many devastating floods in the past decade. Different countries have reacted differently during and after the floods have occurred. Some countries have needed economic help during these times. Some countries were able to give detailed warning and saved many lives in doing so. Developed countries have the money to warn its people of any floods or other natural hazards which may affect a community. Developing countries often do not have the resources or money to start a rescue of people after the disaster occurs. They have to rely on the United Nations (UN) or developed countries to donate money. Pakistan experienced a flood in July 2010 in monsoon season. The monsoon flood was expected but the size was not expected. Many people lost their lives and property. Australia experienced a flood in Queensland during late December 2010 and January 2011. The devastation of the flood was not expected and many people were caught out in the northern part of the rivers. Both of these floods had similar causes. The impact was different because Pakistan usually floods every year so damages are normally expected. Responses were different due to the country’s wealth at the time. Both countries can implement new policies so the next floods will not lead to as many deaths or damages.
Causes
Meteorologists are starting to believe climate change and rising sea levels are leading to bigger and more vicious floods across the earth. The cause of the Australian floods was the low pressure systems which brought rain. The heavy rain in December 2010 which went for two weeks led to the river systems becoming overwhelmed by the amount of water. Queensland experienced most rain since 1974. The Brisbane River, Mary River, Condamine/Balonne River, Burnett River and Fitzroy burst its banks. The Pakistani floods were caused by monsoon rains in July. These monsoon rains come every year but in 2010 the
Floods are a natural hazard. There have been many devastating floods in the past decade. Different countries have reacted differently during and after the floods have occurred. Some countries have needed economic help during these times. Some countries were able to give detailed warning and saved many lives in doing so. Developed countries have the money to warn its people of any floods or other natural hazards which may affect a community. Developing countries often do not have the resources or money to start a rescue of people after the disaster occurs. They have to rely on the United Nations (UN) or developed countries to donate money. Pakistan experienced a flood in July 2010 in monsoon season. The monsoon flood was expected but the size was not expected. Many people lost their lives and property. Australia experienced a flood in Queensland during late December 2010 and January 2011. The devastation of the flood was not expected and many people were caught out in the northern part of the rivers. Both of these floods had similar causes. The impact was different because Pakistan usually floods every year so damages are normally expected. Responses were different due to the country’s wealth at the time. Both countries can implement new policies so the next floods will not lead to as many deaths or damages.
Causes
Meteorologists are starting to believe climate change and rising sea levels are leading to bigger and more vicious floods across the earth. The cause of the Australian floods was the low pressure systems which brought rain. The heavy rain in December 2010 which went for two weeks led to the river systems becoming overwhelmed by the amount of water. Queensland experienced most rain since 1974. The Brisbane River, Mary River, Condamine/Balonne River, Burnett River and Fitzroy burst its banks. The Pakistani floods were caused by monsoon rains in July. These monsoon rains come every year but in 2010 the
Bibliography: http://www.csiro.au/en/Outcomes/Environment/Australian-Landscapes/Understanding-Floods.aspx http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/PakistanFloodsCausesandConsequences_mbisht_190810 http://mceer.buffalo.edu/infoservice/disasters/pakistan-floods-2010.asp Flood, Horror and Tragedy by Agnew P and F Association, published 2011 by Southern Education Managements. The Interim Report released by the Queensland government. It can be accessed via: http://www.floodcommission.qld.gov.au/publications/interim-report/