Advertisement

Gallery: Thousands flee before typhoon hits Philippines

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel stand in formation beside newly-acquired rubber boats following a blessing ceremony in Manila on November 6, 2013. Getty Images

Thousands of villagers in the central Philippines, including those from a province devastated by a recent earthquake, were being evacuated Thursday as one of the most powerful typhoons globally this year approaches.

READ MORE: Thousands flee in Philippines as typhoon nears

Typhoon Haiyan was already packing sustained winds of 215 kilometres (134 miles) per hour and ferocious gusts of 250 kph (155 mph), and could pick up strength over the Pacific Ocean before it slams into the eastern Philippine province of Eastern Samar on Friday, according to government forecasters.

People stand on a pier as  Typhoon Haiyan smashes into coastal communities on the central island of Bacalod. (Julius Mariveles/AFP/Getty Images)

Julius Mariveles/AFP/Getty Images

Residents clear a road after a tree was toppled by strong winds as powerful typhoon Haiyan makes lamdfall. (Chester Baldicantos / AP Photo)

Story continues below advertisement
Fisherman’s outrigger are anchored on the shore of Manila bay as Typhoon Haiyan approached on November 7, 2013. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
This image provided by the U.S. Naval Research Lab shows Typhoon Haiyan taken by the NEXSAT satellite Thursday Nov. 7, 2013 at 2:30 a.m. EDT. (Photo credit: AP Photo). AP Photo
Fisherman repair there outrigger on the shore of Manila bay as Typhoon Haiyan approached on November 7, 2013. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
Filipino workers bring down a giant billboard along a busy highway as they prepare for the possible effects of powerful Typhoon Haiyan in suburban Makati, south of Manila, Philippines Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013. (Photo credit: AP Photo). AP Photo
Fisherman repair there outrigger on the shore of Manila bay as Typhoon Haiyan approached on November 7, 2013. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
Fisherman repair there outrigger on the shore of Manila bay as Typhoon Haiyan approached on November 7, 2013. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images

Sponsored content

AdChoices