Living in a hap(hazard) world: Disaster Bites: Super Typhoon Haiyan

Just as we wrap up on our discussion of hurricanes, South East Asia had just been recently struck by the massive typhoon Haiyan. My deepest condolences go out to those who have been affected by this monstrous storm.

Children holding signs asking for help along the highway. Credits: Reuters

Category 5 typhoon
Made landfall on November 7 2013 in the Philippines at Guiuan, Eastern Samar province.
Brought about sustained winds of 235km/h, with one minute sustained winds of 315km/h. This makes it the strongest typhoon to ever make landfall.
Storm surge reached 15m; rainfall hit 400mm
President Aquino estimated that the death toll is around 2500 although the previous estimate was at 10000.
About 600000 were made homeless by the disaster.
Initial estimates of economic losses amount to $15 billion.
Looting has become a problem amongst the chaos as well.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by the damage to roads and airports.
Struck northern Vietnam on November 10 as a severe tropical storm and subsequently hit southern China as well.

Haiyan's track. Credits: CNN

Typhoon Haiyan has been one of the key issues of discussion at the Warsaw Climate Change Conference 2013 that is occurring over these couple of weeks and Yeb Sano, the head of the government’s delegation from the Philippines, made an emotional call for action to resolve the climate talks deadlock. You can catch his speech here: