Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda’ enters Philippine area of responsibility

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 3:30 a.m., 07 November 2013

MANILA, Philippines—Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) entered the Philippine area of responsibility at midnight of Wednesday, the state weather bureau said early Thursday morning.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Yolanda was last observed 888 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Yolanda packed maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph. It is forecast to move rapidly west northwest-ward at 30 kph.

Sea travel is risky over the eastern seaboards of southern Luzon and the Visayas.

Yolanda will bring heavy rains within its 600-kilometer diameter. It is forecast to make landfall over eastern Visayas on Friday.