Typhoon Lando was the worst storm to hit PHL in 2015 -NDRRMC

 

 

In terms of sheer strength and scope of destruction, Typhoon Lando (international name: Koppu) was the worst storm to hit the Philippines this year, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

 

Lando approached the country as a Category 5 typhoon—comparable in strength to Yolanda—but weakened into a Category 3 upon landfall. Although it continued to weaken as it marched across Luzon, it lingered on land for almost a week due to high pressure areas north of the country that kept it from leaving.

 

As a result, Lando poured intense rain and wreaked havoc across Luzon for days on end.

 

"Malawak ang pinsalang naidulot ng bagyo," NDRRMC spokesperson Romina Marasigan told GMA News' Saleema Refran.

 

At least in terms of damage costs, Lando has surpassed all other typhoons that hit the country this year combined, according to GMA News Research.

 

So far, the cost of damages from 2015 tropical cyclones alone is equivalent to more than half of the P20.7 billion disaster-related funds that the government has set aside for calamities this year: namely, the P14-billion National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRM Fund) and the P6.7-billion Quick Response Fund (QRF). —With Agatha Guidaben/TJD, GMA News