Typhoon Hagupit brings torrential rain and strong winds to the Philippines but the government seems better prepared after last year's 'monster storm'.
ADVERTISEMENTAt least three people are known to have died after Typhoon Hagupit tore through the central Philippines bringing with it torrential rain and winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour.
The heavy downpour has triggered fears of landslides and the storm has knocked out power and mobile phone signals.
Last year Typhoon Haiyan caused widespread death and destruction in the Philippines, but this time round the government, backed by 120,000-strong military, appears better prepared.
Spokesman for the country’s National Disaster Agency, Alexander Pama said the main problem was gaining access to the stricken areas: “As soon as the roads are cleared our air operations can commence because in some areas right now like in Samar, we are awaiting the clearance for the aircraft to fly, then the initial relief operation will start.”
Traumatised by last year’s super storm, more than a million people have fled to about 1,000 emergency shelters in an effort to ride out the extreme weather.
Hagupit has weakened from a category five typhoon to a category two as it heads for the capital Manilla.