CLAVERIA, Philippines — Typhoon Mangkhut, which meteorologists called the most powerful storm in the world this year, swept through the northern end of the Philippine island of Luzon, leaving at least 16 people dead and wreaking havoc. It uprooted trees, ripped off roofs, set off landslides and flooded farms and roads. The initial casualty toll was far lower than officials had feared in the days before the storm made landfall early Saturday on the Philippines’ largest and most populous island. [Follow our live updates on Typhoon Mangkhut]But it could be days or weeks before the storm’s true human toll is known. The region is the country’s largest food producer, and the destruction of crops could lead to food shortages, higher costs and inflation.

Source: New York Times September 15, 2018 15:45 UTC