(UPDATE) Aquino warns public of typhoon Yolanda

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno S. Aquino III warned tonight the public of the possible "serious" effect of super typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda) and sought for their cooperation to prevent casualties.

Aquino said Haiyan, which is stronger than recent typhoons that hit the country this year, would bring big waves and pose dangers in flood prone and landslide prone areas.

He said that Haiyan's public storm signal could reach up to No. 4 due to strong winds and could affect about 600 kilometers in diameter.

Apart from the strong winds, Aquino said that the concerned government agencies were also monitoring the possibility of lahar flows in areas near volcanoes and that of storm surge in more than 100 places.

He ordered Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas to fly to central Philippine province of Leyte to lead the preparations of the local government units for the typhoon, which was expected to make a landfall by midnight in central Philippine provinces of Samar and Leyte.

He said that the three C130 military cargo planes, 32 Air Force choppers and the 20 ships of the Philippine Navy have been on standby to assist the affected population. Relief goods were also positioned, he added.