The most powerful storm in the world this year has made landfall over the central Philippines, where mass evacuations have been ordered.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) says Super Typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda, made landfall at 4.40am local time over Guiuan, Eastern Samar in Philippines.
It says the storm has winds of 235 kilometres an hour near the centre and gusts of up to 275 kilometres an hour.
Ten million people are estimated to be in the path of the typhoon, and half-a-million people have already been evacuated.
Authorities say the typhoon could cause major damage across a vast area of the central and southern Philippines.
"This is a very dangerous typhoon," state weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar said.
"There are not too many mountains on its path to deflect the force of impact, making it more dangerous.
"Local officials know where the vulnerable areas are and have given instructions on evacuations."
In Bohol province, 5,000 people living in tents after they lost their homes in a magnitude 7.2 earthquake last month have been moved to temporary shelters.
At least 1,000 people on an island off Masbate province have been marooned by stormy weather and large waves reaching seven meters high.
Schools in the capital Manila have been closed and university classes cancelled.
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