4. At the end of this lesson, the learners should be able to;
Explain the meaning of
disaster. (DRRR/12-Ia-b-1)
5. When does a natural event become a hazard?
A natural event can be likened to a weak concrete
fence that could collapse even with just a slight
push. It does not pose a threat to anything or
anybody if there is nothing or no one nearby. Once
you park a car or stand right beside it, it becomes a
hazard. The threat of damage, injury, and even
death now exists.
6. When does a NATURAL
EVENT become a HAZARD?
A natural event can be likened to
a weak concrete fence that could
collapse even with just a slight
push. It does not pose a threat to
anything or anybody if there is
nothing or no one nearby. Once
you park a car or stand right
beside it, it becomes a hazard. The
threat of damage, injury, and even
death now exists.
7. When does a HAZARD
becomes a DISASTER?
A disaster happens when the
probable destructive agent,
the hazard, hits a vulnerable
populated area. A natural
event like the volcanic
eruption or tsunami which
hits an uninhabited area
does not qualify as a
disaster.
8. The transformation of natural event into a disaster.
A natural event such as a tsunami becomes a hazard if
it poses a threat to people. A magnitude 6.5 earthquake
is usually strong enough to generate tsunamis that
could be destructive to nearby coastal areas. The
tsunami waves that are about to hit a beach area with
people, animals, trees and houses are considered as a
hazard. After the tsunami hits the populated area, it is
no longer a hazard but a disaster with victims and
destruction or damage all over the place.
9. A typhoon or storm surge affecting Leyte
A typhoon passing over a remote and unpopulated island.
A flood in a rural area which floods the roads but does not affect
any houses.
A volcano erupting in isolation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean
An avalanche in a ski resort
An avalanche high on the mountain and slopes remote from any
settlement
A tsunami wave 5m high off coast of Japan
An earthquake in Kashmir, Northern Pakistan
A drought in Australia’s Outback (a vast, remote, arid interior of
Australia)
A landslide in a favela (slum area) in Rio De Janeiro.
10. 1. Name at least 3 natural phenomena that your
community considers as hazard. Explain why
they are considered hazard.
2. Explain what is meant by ‘Buildings kill people,
not earthquake’.
3. Explain how a seemingly harmless normal river
flows in the middle of a rapidly developing city,
can later cause a disaster.
