Supertyphoon Approaches Philippines

Supertyphoon Haiyan continues to move westward and inch closer to the Philippines, according to the state weather bureau.

Traveling at a faster speed of 30 kph (from the previous 20 kph), the typhoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), is forecast to make landfall in eastern Visayas on Friday. It would affect the Visayas and parts of Luzon and Mindanao.

The typhoon was last observed 1,560 km east of Mindanao, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 km per hour and gusts of up to 150 km per hour.

The typhoon will be locally named Yolanda when it enters the Philippine area of responsibility.

Haiyan remains a threat to the Philippines, as it will be accompanies by widespread torrential rain and damaging winds through the central Philippines. Rain totals along the path of Haiyan could top 200 mm. Mudslides are a serious concern in the higher terrain, where localized totals of 250-300mm are not out of the question.

The northeast monsoon, meanwhile, continues to affect northern and Central Luzon.