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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.
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.
The storm is not expected to directly hit Manila further north, weather experts say, although people in the capital could experience strong winds.
Relief packagesRelief 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 about 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. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in a website update that the storm was likely to create "rough to very rough seas".
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. About 5,000 people are still living in tents in Bohol after losing their homes in the quake, which killed more than 200 people.
Thousands of people from villages at risk have been evacuated across several provinces, while schools and offices have shut. The military says it is 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 across several provinces have been evacuated, while schools and offices have shut.
President Benigno Aquino warned people to leave storm-prone areas and urged seafarers to stay in port.
He reassured the public that cargo planes and military helicopters were on standby, along with 20 navy ships.
"No typhoon can bring Filipinos to their knees if we'll be united," he said in a televised address.
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.
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.
"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."
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