Amateur Radio in the Philippines was part of the comprehensive response to the Category 4 Typhoon Koppu — known locally as Typhon Lando — which hit the islands over the weekend with damaging winds and heavy rain. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) coordinated with the Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA) to monitor conditions in affected regions through their local Amateur Radio associations.

PARA stood by to monitor reports from Amateur Radio groups, and through the PARA DU Net, went into emergency mode to monitor reports from the eastern seaboard of the main island, Luzon, through its Ham Emergency Radio Operator Network (HERO). Lando may have been the second most powerful storm to strike the country this year.

The typhoon came ashore on northeastern Aurora province on October 19, leaving at least a dozen dead, forcing tens of thousands from their homes, and knocking out power and telecommunications. The storm had weakened to a tropical storm by this afternoon, Philippines time. At least three people are dead, several villages are flooded, and the slow moving typhoon was expected to linger for days.

The overall response also involved the fire service, Coast Guard, police, army, the Red Cross, and other trained volunteers, harnessing an enormous planned response effort. — Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee