The central part of the Philippines has suffered massive devastation and loss of life in the aftermath of one of the strongest typhoons on record.

10,000 are feared to have perished in the city of Tacloban (pop. 220,000), which has been extensively demolished by the storm.

The typhoon, known as Typhoon Haiyan and Typhoon Yolanda, hit the central Philippine island of Samar Friday.

At wind speeds averaging 315 km/h, it is believed to be the strongest storm recorded to have made landfall.

Extensive rain and excessively strong winds caused an ocean flood wave which many described as a tsunami.

The province of Leyte around Tacloban, one of the poorest in the Philippines, has also suffered extensive damage, with 70-80% of buildings demolished communications and fresh water supply cut off at many places.

Some 4.4 M people are estimated to have been affected by Typhoon Yolanda, informed world agencies.

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared a "state of calamity in provinces encompassing islands across the breadth of the country.

The typhoon began turning Sunday toward central and northern Vietnam, where more than 0.5 M people were evacuated even as meteorologists said the typhoon had begun weakening, writes the New York Times.

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