Super Typhoon Haiyan Kills Over Hundred People
Another super typhoon has hit the Philippines, killing over one hundred people and leaving trails of devastation.
Typhoon “Yolanda” or internationally known as “Haiyan” sustained winds of up to 320 km/h (199mph).
The storm destroyed buildings, caused floods and triggered landslides in the country’s central islands.
Haiyan slammed the provinces of Leyte and Samar, killing hundreds of civilians.
Before the monster typhoon made landfall in the country, massive information drives were launched around the country where many establishments were closed, particularly hospitals, schools, and offices. Flights and ferry services were suspended as well.
However, the wrath of the typhoon was uncontrollable, leaving a trail of destruction along its path, turning roads into rivers, and battering provinces in Visayas.
On November 8th, weather forecasters said they expected Typhoon “YOLANDA” to continue to move in a west northwest direction and bring stormy weather with rough to phenomenal seas over Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras. Also Metro Manila, Bataan, Calabarzon, Marinduque, Bicol region, Central Visayas, Negros Occidental, Samar and Leyte provinces, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat province will have rain and gusty winds with moderate to rough seas. The rest of the country will be cloudy with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. By the morning of November 9th, they expected Typhoon “YOLANDA” to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
After that, forecasters expected Metro Manila, Bicol region and the rest of Luzon and Visayas to see light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. They said Mindanao would have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. This weather scenario is expected to persist until Monday, November 11.
The destruction is on a massive scale. Cars were thrown around and debris is scattered in the streets.
Haiyan is reportedly now heading towards Vietnam and southern China.
The Philippines has been battered with many devastating storms in the past decade. But, storm Haiyan is said to be as destructive as Typhoon Bopha, which hit in December 2012, killing 1,000 people.
Death Toll Feared To Rise
After the storm whipped the central part of the country, the Philippine government made an assessment of the damage and reported a death toll of 138 on Saturday night.
Rescue operations are underway, government officials are unable to make exact numbers of human casualties due to cut communication lines. However, an estimated 1,200 people were predicted to have died.
US offers condolences
US Secretary John Kerry offered his deepest condolences and solidarity to all Filipinos experiencing the devastation and loss of life that accompanied Super Typhoon Haiyan.
“I know that these horrific acts of nature are a burden that you have wrestled with and courageously surmounted before.” – Secretary Kerry
Secretary Kerry said the Filipinos’ spirit is strong and the United States stands ready to help the country.
He reports the US embassies in the Philippines and Palau are in close contact with the Philippine governments.
US Donates $100,000 To The Philippines
According to reports, the Obama administration made an initial $100,000 in aid to provide basic health care, clean water and sanitation following the country’s request for international assistance.
The State Department says aid is likely to increase as damage and humanitarian needs are assessed.
USAID, the leading agency for the international humanitarian response has deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team to the affected area to make assessments. The team has delivered plastic sheeting to be used for emergency shelter.
