Super Typhoon Haiyan causes carnage across Philippines
One of the most powerful typhoons on record has slammed into the Philippines, setting off landslides, knocking out power in one province and cutting communications in island regions.
At least three people have been killed by Super Typhoon Haiyan.
Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes in villages in Haiyan's path amid fears the storm damage could be the worst in the Philippines' history.
More than 125,000 people had been evacuated from towns and villages in the typhoon's path, which was to cut across the central Philippines, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.
Among them were thousands of residents of Bohol who had been camped in tents and other makeshift shelters after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit the island last month.
Southern Leyte governor Roger Mercado said 31,000 people were evacuated in his landslide-prone mountainous province before the super typhoon struck, knocking out power, setting off small landslides that blocked roads in rural areas, uprooting trees and ripping roofs off houses around his residence.
The dense clouds and heavy rains made the day seem almost as dark as night, he said.
"When you're faced with such a scenario, you can only pray, and pray and pray," Mr Mercado said by telephone, adding that his town mayors had not called in to report any major damage.
"I hope that means they were spared and not the other way around.
"My worst fear is there will be many massive loss of lives and property," he added.
The typhoon– the 24th serious storm to hit the Philippines this year - is forecast to barrel through the Philippines' central region today and tomorrow before blowing towards the South China Sea over the weekend, heading towards Vietnam.
