With reference to examples, discuss the issues which arise as a result of the management of tropical revolving storms.

[10 Marks] Tropical revolving storms are systems of intensive low pressure by which heat is transferred away from the equator. Hurricanes can be created from this as they are the tropical cyclones of the Atlantic. They are formed on the West coast of Africa and travel unpredictably and chaotically North West across the Atlantic. They form after the Inter-Tropical-Convergence Zone (ITCZ) has moved north enabling the convergence of the warm trade wins and westerlies closer to the equator. Hurricanes are destructive as they carry high-speed winds of 160km/h, storm surges, flooding and land sliding. Hurricane Katrina occurred on August 28th, 2005 and cost the US $150 billion. The management strategies implemented may be seen as only slightly beneficial due to the unpredictability of tropical revolving storms and hurricanes in particular. Torrential rain over the Mississippi catchment area and a storm surge combined to overtop the 16m artificial levees. In terms of management, the USA implements various strategies in order to reduce the impacts of the TRS. Satellite images tracking the storm take images every 30 minutes and transmitted. Computer models predict the track and changes in hurricane intensity from data from previous storm events. Evacuation ordered by the Authorities with a 48 hour warning in order to curb the eventual effects of potential hurricanes. Such issues have arisen as a result of the management of Hurricane Katrina, in particular, the delayed response which intensified the effects of the storm. Almost 2,000 people were killed and the Bush administration were highly criticised for a delayed response which resulted in looting, contaminated water and decomposing bodies which is something not attached with an MEDC. Cyclone Nargis, May 2008, occurred in India, Sri Lanka, Burma and Bangladesh. The impacts on the environment were heavy rainfall leading to flooding and landslides. Economically, 600,000 agricultural land was destroyed with 42% of Burmas food stocks demolished. Issues arose regarding the political management of the cyclones effects. Relief efforts were slowed for political reasons as Burmas military leaders were initially sceptical about such large scale international aid. The country were poorly prepared and physical difficulties of moving around also prevented a large amount of aid from coming into areas of need which meant that many people died, not due to the effects of the cyclone, but because of the effect which it had postcyclone and the poor aid relief. Thus, it is possible to conclude that the issues that arise as a result of the management of tropical revolving storms are critical to the preservation of human life and the reduction of the effects on the environment. Management strategies and preventative methods are only useful to an extent but the speed at which aid can be given to those effected are vital .

Yanni Pitsillides 13M