Lando devastates PH; kills 9, affects 20,000 in Luzon – NDRRMC

Tropical cyclone update from PAGASA

MANILA – According to the latest data gathered by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), nine Filipinos were killed and 20,492 others were affected by Typhoon Lando’s (International name: Koppu) wrath.

The fatalities in Luzon were a 62-year-old woman who died after a concrete wall fell on her; and a 14-year-old boy who died after a tree fell on him. Both suffered from severe injuries while five others were wounded from the incidents.

The other seven who died were passengers of the M/B Tawash motorboat which capsized between Iloilo and Guimaras over the weekend. Thirty-two passengers and crew members were rescued by the Coast Guard while two crew members of the boat remained missing.

Moreover, around 4,000 families were evacuated in Isabela, and 3,003 in Aurora. Residents in Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Zambales and Bulacan have also been cautioned of possible evacuation orders.

Heavy rain and powerful winds were expected in Ilocos, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon, Aurora, Calabarzon and Bicol. Around 18 roads and 13 bridges have closed in these regions, while several areas experienced loss of power supply.

The NDRRMC also disclosed that the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already released P1,060,560 for the assistance of victims with authorities continuing rescue operations for people stranded in the flood.

Lando made landfall in Aurora yesterday and headed towards Ilocos, Apayao and CAR. It has been forecasted to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by the end of the week as it continued to weaken but still remain in typhoon intensity.

Lando weakens, moves north

Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Benguet and La Union have been placed under Signal No.2 today, after being under Signal No. 3 yesterday.

Calayan Island, Babuyan Group of Islands, Cagayan, Apayao, Kalinga, the Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya and Pangasinan were also placed under Signal No. 2.

Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Aurora, Isabela, Batanes and Metro Manila have been under Signal No. 1.

PAGASA warned residents in aforesaid regions to be on alert against possible flashfloods and landslides as rain and gusty wind would sustain in the succeeding days.

As of 5:00 a.m. today, Lando still has sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 150 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).