SUPER TYPHOON YOLANDA

The most powerful tropical cyclone of the year hit the Philippines on November 8, 2013. Super typhoon Yolanda (International codename: Haiyan) barreled through most of the Visayas, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. This page puts together Rappler's full coverage of the impact of the typhoon as well as response and relief efforts by government, the private sector, civil society and international and local humanitarian organizations. In the coming weeks and months this page will also follow efforts to help affected communities recover from the ravages of this disaster.

145,641 people evacuate as Yolanda hits PH

Typhoon Haiyan hits the Philippines in this weather satellite image, courtesy of the Japan Meteorological Agency, taken at 0230 UTC November 8, 2013. Haiyan, potentially the strongest recorded typhoon to make landfall, slammed into the Philippines’ central islands on Friday, forcing millions of people to flee to safer ground or take refuge in storm shelters. The category-five super typhoon whipped up giant waves as high as 4-5 metres (12-15 feet) that lashed the islands of Leyte and Samar, and was on track to carve a path through popular holiday destinations. REUTERS/Japan Meteorological Agency/MTSAT

More than 26,000 families or 145,641 people have already been evacuated in 581 evacuation centers in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga regions as typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) makes its landfall, according to the latest data released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as of noon of Friday, Nov. 8.

Meanwhile, a total of 2,087 passengers, 50 vessels, 557 rolling cargoes, and 54 motorbancas were stranded in Batangas, Lucena town in Quezon province, Romblon, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Bacolod, Ilo-ilo, Cebu, Maasin City, and Catbalogan City.

According to NDRRMC’s “Situation Report No. 5 Effects of Typhoon Yolanda,” the typhoon has already made its landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Samar and is expected to be at 240km West Northwest of Coron, Palawan on Saturday morning and outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Sunday afternoon.

After hitting Eastern Samar, the typhoon is expected to traverse the provinces of Biliran, Northern tip of Cebu, Ilo-ilo, Capiz, Aklan, Romblon, Semirara Island, and the Southern part of Mindoro.

“Yolanda,” which has a maximum sustained winds of 235kph and gustiness of 275kph, moves West Northwest at 39kph.

Estimated rainfall amount, NDRRMC said, is at 10-30 mm per hour, classified as heavy-intense.

Classes have already been suspended in different levels in Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga regions.

Work in all government offices in Camarines Sur, catanduanes, Ilo-ilo City, Ilo-ilo province, Guimaras, and Antique have also been suspended.

NDRRMC reported that power interruption has already been experienced in Mimaropa and Eastern Visayas since Thursday.

To date, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already prepositioned a total of P169.353 million consisting of standby funds (P53.24 million), family food packs (P19.91 million), and other foold supplies (P96.2 million).

A total of P2.7 million worth of relief assistance have already been provided to the victims in Albay and Masbate.

Around 100 cavans of rice and canned goods were also prepositioned in Oriental Mindoro.

Flights from Manila to Bacolod, Tagbilaran, General Santos City, and Ilo-ilo and vice versa have already been cancelled.

The Department of Health has also prepositioned P3.325 million worth of assorted drugs and medicines in Western Visayas (P1.147 million), Central Visayas (P773,668), and Eastern Visayas (P1.404million).