‘Yolanda’ death toll nearing 2,000—NDRRMC

An aerial image taken from a Philippine Air Force helicopter shows the devastation of the first landfall by typhoon Haiyan, Monday Nov. 11, 2013 in Guiuan, Eastern Samar province, central Philippines. AP

MANILA, Philippines — The official death toll from supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan) neared 2,000 Monday evening, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

NDRRMC spokesman Major Rey Balido said that there were recorded 1,774 persons killed in areas hit by the typhoon.

In Eastern Visayas alone, there were 1,660 dead.

There were 2,487 injured and 82 missing on official records.

Yolanda lashed Philippines with its powerful winds and torrential rainfall, directly hitting central Philippines at its onslaught.