Typhoon May Be Deadliest Disaster Ever in Philippines

Haiyan being called one of 'most powerful' typhoons ever as well
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 10, 2013 5:55 PM CST
Storm Hits Vietnam Amid Philippines Rescue Efforts
Residents carry relief goods along the bay in Tacloban city, Leyte province, central Philippines on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013. The city remains littered with debris from damaged homes as many complain of shortages of food and water and no electricity since Typhoon Haiyan slammed into their province. Haiyan,...   (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Haiyan has arrived in Vietnam a much quieter storm; it's been reduced to a Category 1, the BBC reports, with sustained winds reaching 85mph. But in the Philippines, the devastation continues after what the New York Times calls one of history's "most powerful" typhoons; it is the most powerful recorded this year. Though thousands of troops have been deployed, rescuers can't reach some areas amid the destruction.

With many people lacking food, water, and electricity, cargo planes are delivering supplies. And looting continues: "People are becoming violent," a high school teacher tells AFP. "I am afraid that in one week, people will be killing from hunger." If estimates of 10,000 people killed are correct, Haiyan is the deadliest natural disaster the Philippines has ever seen, AFP notes, while pointing out the country is no stranger to such disasters: It sits within both a typhoon belt and the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones. (More typhoon stories.)

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