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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Philippines braces for Typhoon Haiyan | Philippines braces for Typhoon Haiyan |
| (about 5 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. |
| The 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). |
| Haiyan - known as Yolanda in the Philippines - is the strongest storm to hit the Pacific this year. | Haiyan - known as Yolanda in the Philippines - is the strongest storm to hit the Pacific this year. |
| Schools and offices have already been closed in the region and thousands of people are being evacuated. | Schools and offices have already been closed in the region and thousands of people are being evacuated. |
| Relief packages | Relief packages |
| 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. | 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 then forecast to move over to the South China Sea north of Palawan Island on Saturday, meteorologists say. | It is then forecast to move over to the South China Sea north of Palawan Island on Saturday, meteorologists say. |
| In its path are areas already struggling to recover from a 7.3-magnitude earthquake last month, including the worst-hit island of Bohol. | In its path are areas already struggling to recover from a 7.3-magnitude earthquake last month, including the worst-hit island of Bohol. |
| Around 5,000 people are still living in tents in Bohol after losing their homes in the quake, which killed more than 200 people. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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. | Meteorologists in the Philippines warned that Haiyan could be as devastating as Typhoon Bopha in 2012. |
| Bopha devastated parts of the southern Philippines, leaving at least 1,000 people dead and causing more than $1bn (£620m) in damage. | Bopha 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." |
| It is the 25th typhoon to enter Philippine territory this year. | It is the 25th typhoon to enter Philippine territory this year. |
| Pascal Canning from Maasin City, in Southern Leyte, says all schools have been shut in his area and some residents have left their homes. | Pascal Canning from Maasin City, in Southern Leyte, says all schools have been shut in his area and some residents have left their homes. |
| "Lots of families in not-so-stable dwellings are either moving in with relatives, or to the evacuation centres. Some of our employees will sleep on our premises tonight." | "Lots of families in not-so-stable dwellings are either moving in with relatives, or to the evacuation centres. Some of our employees will sleep on our premises tonight." |
| "The biggest worry is the possibility of mudslides... There is an eerie feeling of anticipation amongst us: excited but scared, because at this time there is total calm that we know will not last." | "The biggest worry is the possibility of mudslides... There is an eerie feeling of anticipation amongst us: excited but scared, because at this time there is total calm that we know will not last." |
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