Haiyan kills 10,000 in Philippines: 'People are desperate'

The devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan. The scenes have been described by those on the ground as 'apocalyptic'. Photo / AP

Nov 11, 2013: Corpses hung from trees, were scattered on sidewalks or buried in flattened buildings some of the 10,000 people believed killed in one Philippine city alone by ferocious Typhoon Haiyan that washed away homes and buildings with powerful winds and giant waves.

As the scale of devastation became clear from one of the worst storms ever recorded, officials projected the death toll could climb even higher when emergency crews reach parts of the archipelago cut off by flooding and landslides. Looters raided grocery stores and gas stations in search of food, fuel and water as the government began relief efforts and international aid operations got underway.

Residents walk past damaged structures caused by typhoon Haiyan. Photo / AP

Survivors pass by two large boats after they were washed ashore by strong waves caused by Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban city. Photo / AP

Source: The New Zealand Herald

By: pipspiper On 8:41 AM

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Typhoon Haiyan death toll could be 10,000 in The Philippines

Haiyan, one of the strongest storms to hit land in recorded history, is headed toward Vietnam and was forecast to reach the country south of Hanoi around 7am local time (11am ADT).

GALLERY: Typhoon Haiyan

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The estimate was made after the extent of massive devastation became apparent and horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees.

Regional police chief Elmer Soria said he was briefed by Leyte provincial Gov. Dominic Petilla late Saturday and told there were about 10,000 deaths on the island, mostly by drowning and from collapsed buildings.

The governor's figure was based on reports from village officials in areas where Typhoon Haiyan slammed Friday.

Tacloban city administrator Tecson Lim said that the death toll in the city alone ``could go up to 10,000.''

About 300-400 bodies have already been recovered, Lim said.

The typhoon barreled through six central Philippine islands on Friday, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes. Most of the deaths and destruction were on Leyte Island, where Tacloban is located.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the death of a 50-year-old NSW man in Typhoon Haiyan.

It's believed the man was former Australian priest Kevin Lee but DFAT declined to confirm his identity.

Mr Lee, a whistleblower about child sex abuse in the Catholic church, was living in the Philippines with his wife.

By: pipspiper On 11:35 AM

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Super Typhoon Haiyan strikes The Philippines - the most powerful typhoon in modern times!

In this photo from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Super Typhoon Haiyan moves toward the Philippines. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center has increased its estimate of Haiyan’s maximum sustained winds to 195 mph, with gusts to 235 mph. As of about 3 p.m. Eastern time, the storm was within a few hours of landfall in the central Philippines.

MANILA, Philippines November 8, 2013 - SUPER Typhoon Haiyan is smashing its way through the Philippines, generating gusts of up to 378km/h and sparking warnings of catastrophic damage.

Footage has emerged of wind and rain lashing empty streets and hurling debris in the air, filmed by a few brave - or foolhardy - souls while the rest of their compatriots hunker down. Watch it in the video player above.

Among the millions seeking shelter are Aussie holidaymakers, including Jeremy Kay and Georgina Nefiodovas, who told the Northern Territory News of their preparations for the ordeal. 

Haiyan, which some are saying is the strongest storm in history, hit Samar island in the region of Luzon, about 600km southeast of Manila. It is expected to cut across the central and southern Philippines before exiting into the South China Sea and bowling on towards Vietnam late on Saturday.

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Authorities warned more than 12 million people were at risk from the typhoon. Its wind strength makes it equivalent to an exceptionally strong Category 5 hurricane.

Nov. 7, 2013. Residents of Legazpi, Philippines, are evacuated ahead of Haiyan, which is known as Yolanda in the island nation. The storm was not expected to directly hit Manila, which is farther north.

Nov. 6, 2013. Residents carry sandbags as they reinforce a dike at a coastal village in Manila ahead of Haiyan’s arrival.

PHILIPPINE government weather forecaster Elvie Enriquez has released a statement saying typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda has already made three landfalls - first in Guiuan, Eastern Samar around 4:40 am local time, second landfall was over Dulag-Tolosa Leyte around 7 am local time then, as of 8am the typhoon crossed Ormoc City.

The eye of the typhoon is located at the vicinity of Ormoc City, Leyte with maximum sustained winds of 235 km/h near the centrr and gusts of up to 275km/h.

By: pipspiper On 11:30 AM

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