Super typhoon Haiyan slams into Philippines, at least 3 dead
Updated: 2013-11-08 23:41
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||
Super Typhoon Haiyan is seen approaching the Philippines in this Japan Meteorological Agency handout image taken at 0630 GMT (0130 EST) November 7, 2013. [Photo/Agencies] |
NO POWER, LANDSLIDES
"Roads are still impassable. There are some landslides," said Roger Mercado, governor of Southern Leyte province.
More than 100 coastal homes were flattened, while landslides destroyed houses in the hills, but his province had seen no casualties yet, he told Reuters.
In Samar province, links with some towns and villages had been cut, officials said.
"The whole province has no power," Samar Governor Sharee Tan told Reuters by telephone. Fallen trees, toppled electric poles and other debris blocked roads, she said.
Authorities suspended ferry services and fishing and shut 13 airports. Nearly 450 domestic, and eight international, flights were suspended.
Schools, offices and shops in the central regions were shut, with hospitals, soldiers and emergency workers preparing rescue efforts. Twenty navy ships and military aircraft including three C-130 cargo planes and helicopters were on standby.
"Power is off all across the island and the streets are deserted," said Lionel Dosdosa, an International Organization for Migration coordinator on Bohol island, the epicentre of an October 15 earthquake that killed 222 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. He said power was off and streets were deserted.
At the Sandcastles Beach Resort in Boracay, guests stayed indoors. "The beach is abandoned. The winds are whistling unceasingly, so we secured our homes and the resort," Jenelyn Castro, one of the resort's staff, said by telephone.
The state weather bureau said Haiyan was expected to move past the Philippines on Saturday and out over the South China Sea, where it could strengthen even further and hit Vietnam.
Meteorologists in Vietnam said it could be the country's strongest storm ever. Evacuations had already begun, the state-run Voice of Vietnam radio said.
The world's strongest recorded typhoon, cyclone or hurricane to make landfall was Hurricane Camille in 1969, which hit the southern U.S state of Mississippi with 305 kph (190 mph) winds, said Weather Underground's Masters.
An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year.
Last year, Typhoon Bopha flattened three towns on Mindanao, killed 1,100 people and caused damages of more than $1 billion.
Haiyan is the second category 5 typhoon to hit the Philippines this year after Typhoon Usagi in September.
- Chinese Americans protest Kimmel joke in NYC
- Brand China in leading role on Transformers set
- Super typhoon Haiyan slams into Philippines
- Market moves to modern mall as Lhasa safeguards the past
- In small-town China, movies are big
- A gathering of gourmets
- 50 arrested at LA protest over Wal-Mart wages
- Kerry to join Iran nuclear talks in bid to reach deal
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Intl attention on reform agenda for China |
Aiming for 100,000 |
Tourism opens the road to riches |
Ancient, modern under same roof |
Mining wasteland faces green challenge |
A prescription for danger |
Today's Top News
US Oct jobless report paints dim picture
Obama's approval rating plunges to 41%
China's discipline agency targets holiday luxuries
Chinese land reform at crucial stage
Senior official at Cosco under investigation
Li appoints advisers to key govt think tank
Taxi driver is lone suspect in Taiyuan bomb blasts
Iran talks aim to close ' important gap': Kerry
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |