Super Typhoon 'Yolanda' killed 3 before landfall

MANILA, Philippines - Three people were killed before super typhoon "Yolanda" (international name Haiyan) made landfall over Eastern Visayas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday afternoon.

NDRRMC executive director Eduardo del Rosario said two of the victims died in separate incidents of electrocution in Masbate and Surigao del Sur provinces and the third was struck by lightning in Zamboanga City on Thursday.

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Del Rosario also reported that a total of 687,000 people have been evacuated in Mimaropa, Bicol, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Caraga.

He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have stored food packs and non-food items for the evacuees in areas projected to be severely affected by "Yolanda," which is perceived as the strongest typhoon in the world this year.

The NDRRMC chief also reported that five roads in Bicol, including a highway in Catanduanes, and Region 8 were impassable due to massive flooding.

Meanwhile, Del Rosario said they have yet to establish communication lines with their people in Tacloban City and areas in Samar as the power was cut off at the height of the super typhoon.

"Yung mga kasamahan po natin na may dalang satellite phones ay hindi malinaw ang communication due to the bad weather... We are exerting our efforts to establish communication," he said.

The super typhoon hit land over Guiuan, Eastern Samar at around 4:40 a.m. It continues to cross the Visayas and is forecast to exit land by Friday night and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility during the weekend.