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Philippines braces for Typhoon Haiyan Philippines braces for Typhoon Haiyan
(about 3 hours later)
Authorities in the Philippines are bracing for the arrival of Typhoon Haiyan, which is expected to strike central parts of the country on Friday.Authorities in the Philippines are bracing for the arrival of Typhoon Haiyan, which is expected to strike central parts of the country on Friday.
Haiyan, a category five storm, is moving towards the South East Asian nation with winds of up to 278 km/h (173mph). The category five storm is moving towards the South East Asian nation with winds of up to 278 km/h (173mph).
Some schools have already been closed and evacuations are under way in some areas. Haiyan - known as Yolanda in the Philippines - is the strongest storm to hit the Pacific this year.
Ferry operations have been suspended and fishing boats ordered back to port. Schools and offices have already been closed in the region and thousands of people are being evacuated.
Evacuations Relief packages
Typhoon Haiyan is expected to make landfall around noon on Friday between the islands of Samar and Leyte. Typhoon Haiyan is expected to make landfall at around 09:00 local (01:00 GMT) on Friday between Samar and Leyte, two of the Visayan Islands in central Philippines.
It is predicted to hit central areas already struggling to recover from a 7.3-magnitude earthquake last month, including the worst-hit island of Bohol. It is then forecast to move over to the South China Sea north of Palawan Island on Saturday, meteorologists say.
Around 5,000 people are still living in tents in Bohol after losing their homes in the quake. In its path are areas already struggling to recover from a 7.3-magnitude earthquake last month, including the worst-hit island of Bohol.
Meteorologists in the Philippines warned that Haiyan could be as devastating as Typhoon Botha in 2012. Around 5,000 people are still living in tents in Bohol after losing their homes in the quake, which killed more than 200 people.
The military says its transporting food packages and relief goods to remote communities, and has helicopters on stand-by. Ferry operations have already been suspended and fishing boats ordered back to port.
Thousands of people from villages at risk have been evacuated across several provinces, while schools and offices have shut.
Some areas are already experiencing strong winds and heavy rains, according to Ben Evardone, a member of Congress from Eastern Samar province.
"I have issued a call to prepare for the worst," he told Reuters news agency.
"We have mobilised all LGUs (local government units) and all resources for any contingency. There were already forced and pre-emptive evacuations in some danger areas," he said.
Meteorologists in the Philippines warned that Haiyan could be as devastating as Typhoon Bopha in 2012.
Botha devastated parts of the southern Philippines, leaving at least 1,000 people dead and causing more than $1bn (£620m) in damage.Botha devastated parts of the southern Philippines, leaving at least 1,000 people dead and causing more than $1bn (£620m) in damage.
"This is a very dangerous typhoon, local officials know where the vulnerable areas are and have given instructions on evacuations," state weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar told AFP."This is a very dangerous typhoon, local officials know where the vulnerable areas are and have given instructions on evacuations," state weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar told AFP.
"There are not too many mountains on its path to deflect the force of impact, making it more dangerous.""There are not too many mountains on its path to deflect the force of impact, making it more dangerous."
Haiyan is the 25th typhoon to enter Philippines territory this year. It is the 25th typhoon to enter Philippines territory this year.