ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN “Coastal hazards caused by storm surge and flood” Dr.Wattana Kanbua Director, Marine Meteorological Center Thai Meteorological Department On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Outline • Tropical Cyclones • Storm surges impacts • Storm surges physics • Earth Observation applications • Storm surges and our coastal lives • Summary On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN What is Tropical Cyclone (TC)? A “tropical cyclone" is an intense vortex or a whirl in the atmosphere with very strong winds circulating around it in anti-clockwise direction in the northern Hemisphere and in clockwise direction in the southern Hemisphere. On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Definition - A tropical cyclone is a meteorological term for a storm system characterized by a low pressure center - which develops over tropical or subtropical waters, - thunderstorms that produces strong wind and flooding rain. - A tropical cyclone feeds on the heat released when moist air rises and the water vapor it contains condenses. - They are fueled by a different heat mechanism than other cyclonic windstorms. On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Creation • Lows pressure form over 26 C (82F) ocean • Condensation, release of latent heat causes surfaces temperature, often in ITCZ. increased buoyancy, thus increased ascent, • If conditions are right, the rising warm air and increased convergence over low-latitude, solar-warmed waters sets • Area of convergence enlarges, more water off a positive-feedback: vapor to draw on • Ascent causes convergence On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Classification • Tropical depression A weak tropical cyclone in which the maximum surface wind is 38 mph (62 km/h or 33 kt) or less • Tropical storm A tropical cyclone in which the maximum surface wind ranges from 39 to 73 mph (63 to 118 km/h or 34 to 64 kt) • Typhoon A tropical cyclone with highest sustained winds 74 mph (119 km/h or 65 kt) or more On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Saffir-simpson Scale On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Characteristics • Size - 300 to 1500 km in diameter • Horizontal structure – Eye - 20 km – Eyewall - 30 to 50 km – Spiral bands On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Tropical Cyclones Worldwide Typhoon Hurricane Cyclone Data Source: NOAA / NHC and JTWC On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN WMO’s Global Tropical Cyclone Early Warning System • 6 Regional Centres designated by WMO to provide advisories for countries in region • 6 regional tropical cyclone committees On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Storm surge and flood impacts • Throughout history, flooding has impacted more people and caused greater economic and insured losses than any other natural peril. For example, – Half of the more than USD 40 billion in insured losses that stemmed from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was related to storm surge. – The tsunami that devastated the northern coast of Honshu in March 2011 is estimated to have caused insured losses of USD 3.5 billion. – Economic losses following the riverine flooding in Thailand 2011 later that year were estimated by the World Bank to be USD 45.7 billion (THB 1.4 trillion). On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Storm surge impacts - Significant destruction of property, structures, vegetation, and coastal landscapes are just a few of the many impacts that result from storm surge. The following animation shows the effects of storm surge on coastal areas. On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Storm surge impact - humanitarian • Currently, around 0.6% of the world’s population live and work in risk areas • One of the most disturbing impacts of storm surges are the mass fatalities that can occur • Examples: – Cyclone Sidr (10,000) – Hurricane Katrina (USA - 1500 approx) – Cyclone Nargis (Myanmar - 140,000 approx) – Windstorm Xynthia (France - 50 approx) – Supertyphoon Haiiyan (Phillipines – 4500 approx) • The occurrences of storm surge often necessitates a significant global humanitarian response On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Storm surge impact - economic • Damage to key infrastructure (roads, rail, port facilities) can impede short term recovery and economic activity • Short term food supply disruption (and associated price volatility) with the destruction of local fishing infrastructure and agriculture • Medium-term loss of agriculture (due to saline intrusion into coastal agricultural areas) • Loss of skilled & experienced element of the workforce • Loss in tourism revenue • Cost of rebuilding & loss of economic assets can be significant On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Storm surge impact - social • Breakdown in local governance (e.g. Philippines re Typhoon Haiyan 2013) • Social shock as communities and families must come to terms with personal losses, survival experiences • High potential for breakdown in law and order in the immediate aftermath • Severe disruption to social support networks (families and communities) • The widespread impact of social disruption – Loss is not restricted to the coastal area, but extends over a wide area with the weather damage • Potential for medium-term psychological trauma to persist in the community On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Storm surge impact - environmental • Habitat and protected area destruction: – Key coastal habitats (e.g. mangrove swamps, salt marshes) are overwhelmed by the surge and can be structurally damaged – Loss of remaining protected species refugees • Pollution: – Key debris from damage/destroyed human settlements spread into the environment – Damage to infrastructure containing toxic pollutants releases them into the local environment • Resource re-allocations: – Environmental concerns are often deemed secondary to humanitarian needs On March 16, 2016 , held in Phuket, THAILAND ON REGIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS) AND ITS RELATED INSTRUMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN SEAS AND THE INDIAN OCEAN Storm surge impact - vulnerability • Increase in population’s short-term vulnerability to – Further weather events – Disease – Governance disorder and breakdown • Loss of key breakwater habitats and coastal defence infrastructure can inhibit coastal resilience to future events in the medium term • With the aid effort response, the population risks becoming aid dependent • Allocating resources to an area while