Zee Media Bureau/Himanshu Kapoor
Manila: As the Super Typhoon Haiyan gathers speed and heads towards Philippines, thousands of people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas.
The storm, said to be the strongest on the planet so far this year, with wind speed of 305 kmph is equivalent to an exceptionally strong Category 5 hurricane.
Super Typhoon Haiyan is expected to retain its intensity when it makes landfall on Friday morning between the central islands of Samar and Leyte.
The authorities in the Philippines have grounded flights on Thursday and have urged the fishing boat to return to the port as the storm approaches the coast.
Taking precautions before the Typhoon landfall, the hospitals have been put on alert and communication lines have been turned off for safety measures.
Philippines President Benigno S Aquino III on Thursday appealed to people near the coastal areas to evacuate danger zones.
Aquino also said that three C-130 cargo aircraft ready to respond, as well as 32 planes and helicopters from the air force in the wake of the threats from the intense storm.
Relief supplies have also been provided in the areas which are expected to get hit early on Friday.
