Over 200,000 in 8 regions affected by ‘Yolanda’—DSWD

Residents clear the road after a tree was toppled by strong winds and damaged a van at the onslaught of powerful typhoon Haiyan that hit the island province of Cebu, Philippines Friday Nov. 8, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded, slammed into the Philippines on Friday, setting off landslides, knocking out power in one entire province and cutting communications in the country’s central region of island provinces.AP

MANILA, Philippines – There are over 200,000 persons affected by Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in eight regions, based on figures provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

As of 6 p.m., a total 52,431 families with 255,262 persons affected are currently housed in  590 evacuation centers in Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

Yolanda pummeled Eastern Visayas and parts of Mindanao with its 180 kilometer per hour winds, bringing down power lines, ripping off roofs, generating five to six-meter waves and uprooting trees, among others.

It is expected to leave the Philippines Saturday morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

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