Deadliest tropical cyclone season since 1973
The Australian Region (officially defined as between 90°E and 160°E in the Southern Hemisphere) has seen the deadliest tropical cyclone season since the season of 1972-1973 and deadliest tropical cyclone since April 1973 because of one tropical cyclone alone, Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
It is estimated that more than 200 people had been killed. More than 10,000 people had been displaced and more than 10,000 homes had been submerged. All of the deaths were in Indonesia and East Timor.
By contrast, Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi only lead to 1 death although it led to more than 10,000 being evacuated and cost $3.6 billion in damages.
This illustrates how natural phenomena only become natural disasters when it comes into contact with humans and human property and other wildlife. Thus the damage of a natural phenomenon is highly sensitive to the time and place in which it occurs.
And it also illustrates the myriad of inequalities that exist with the main reason for the high death toll being that it struck a densely populated and poor region and not because of its intensity.
It is estimated that more than 200 people had been killed. More than 10,000 people had been displaced and more than 10,000 homes had been submerged. All of the deaths were in Indonesia and East Timor.
By contrast, Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi only lead to 1 death although it led to more than 10,000 being evacuated and cost $3.6 billion in damages.
This illustrates how natural phenomena only become natural disasters when it comes into contact with humans and human property and other wildlife. Thus the damage of a natural phenomenon is highly sensitive to the time and place in which it occurs.
And it also illustrates the myriad of inequalities that exist with the main reason for the high death toll being that it struck a densely populated and poor region and not because of its intensity.