Cyclone Nargis Essay

Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar, 2008

1.Introduction

1-1 geographical Background

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is the biggest country in mainland of South-East Asia surrounded by India, China and Thailand with area of 676,578 square km and a population of 51.5 million. Its 2000km coastline covers almost the whole of east coast of the Bay of Bengal.(UNISDR, 2012 단체1)

Countries around this bay are usually intimidated by the destruction of storm surges associated with tropical cydones. Particularly Myanmar’s the low-lying areas(the Ayeyarwady Delta) are vulnerable to storm surges. 책12 As a heavy rainfall country, according to the last 100 years historical record, floods occur regularly during the mid-monsoon period from June to August and April

–책14 The storm surge ranged to 30 kilometers inland and washed away more than 50 townships and villages in its path. It was the worst disaster ever happened in Myanmar resulted in the loss of 138,373 lives, affected 2.4 million population out of the 7.35 million living in low-lying townships of Yangon, Labutta, Bogale, Pyinsalu while destroyed critical public facilities, roads, energy supplies and telecommunication system and properties valued for 4.1 billion USD.-책14 The people in the affected area were mostly framers, fishermen or traders. And the communities were cohesive in spite of diverse ethnics.

sufficient distance from the equator to provide spin or twist. metoffice.gov.uk.

2. Hazards of Tropical cyclone

2-1 Strong wind

Strong winds cause most of the structural damage. The atmospheric pressure at the storm centre often falls to 950 mb.-책22. 또한 Destructive energy relative to the force of a tropical storm is proportioned to Wind speed and 카테고리로 나뉜다.1 to 5. 특히 미얀마 Most human habitations are located close to the sea, or near creeks, ponds and other bodies of water inland. The most common form of housing is made of bamboo and thatch, rather than more permanent materials, such as wood, concrete or bricks.-학술36

2-2 Heavy rainfall

Rainfall associated with a decaying cyclone can continue inland a long way from the coast, to cause flooding. . 책22Sustained torrential rain accompanying tropical cyclones inevitably brings the risk of flash flooding of rivers.책24

In Myanmar, majority of big cities and towns, economically strategic places in the country, usually situate along four major rivers, namely Ayeyarwady, Chindwin, Sittaung and