34 killed, 34 hurt in onslaught of Tropical Storm ‘Lando’– NDRRMC

A man braves strong winds as Tropical Storm “Lando” sweeps across Baguio City, causing Burnham Lake to overflow and trees to fall and block a road at Burnham Park on Monday. As of Wednesday afternoon, the official death toll from Lando has risen to 34 while also 34 have been injured, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. EV ESPIRITU/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

Official death toll from Tropical Storm “Lando” (international name: Koppu) rose to 34 on Wednesday afternoon.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Alexander Pama, in a press briefing, said the newly listed casualties were from Benguet.

Injured persons, meanwhile, stood at 34.

Pama, along with Interior Secretary Senen Sarmiento and Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, flew to Aurora to oversee the ongoing relief efforts.

They distributed additional relief items for typhoon victims in Baler and Casiguran. It was the first time that C-130 planes of the Philippine Air Force landed in these towns.

“We also met with local chief executives of Aurora and made coordination for organized relief efforts,” Pama said.

He also noted that roads were now passable from Baler to Casiguran and relief efforts may be made by land.

Damage to property caused by Lando ballooned to P6.6 billion in Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, and Cordillera Administrative Region.

Agricultural damage was pegged at around P6 billion.

The tropical cyclone caused widespread flooding in Luzon and some provinces continued to be submerged.

Lando, which dumped heavy to intense rains mostly in Central Luzon at its peak, weakened into a tropical depression early Wednesday.

When Lando was at a typhoon intensity, it pummeled Aurora with its heavy rains and strong winds.

At its peak, Lando also caused suspension of classes, cancellation of dozens of flights, and stranded thousands of passengers. Thousands were also sheltered in evacuation centers. Frances Mangosing with AP, AFP reports/RC

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