Super typhoon Haiyan expected to hit Philippines

Authorities grounded ferry services and called in fishing boats as an approaching super typhoon, the most powerful to hit the western Pacific this year, gained strength on a path set for the central Philippines.

With centre winds of 215 kph (133 mph) and gusts of up to 250 kph, typhoon Haiyan, rated a category-five storm, the most severe, was moving west northwest at 30 kph in the Pacific Ocean. It was expected to make landfall at mid-day on Friday between the central islands of Samar and Leyte.