Typhoon Bopha hits Philippines

Typhoon Bopha, the strongest storm to hit the country this year, killed at least 82 people in total after making landfall on the east coast of Mindanao island at dawn, packing winds of 210 kilometres (130 miles) an hour. 

The typhoon brought driving rain and strong winds to Mindanao, toppling trees and power lines, causing localised flooding and forcing more than 56,000 to seek refuge in emergency shelters, the civil defence office said.

Large parts of Mindanao, which is not normally hit by typhoons, were still without electricity on Tuesday night, it added.

Typhoon Bopha comes after tropical storm Washi hit Mindanao in December last year, killing more than 1,200 and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

Residents evacuate to safer grounds in anticipation of Typhoon Bopha in Butuan city in southeastern Philippines Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012.

 

 

 

 

Residents walk back to their homes after Typhoon Bopha made landfall in Compostela Valley in southeastern Philippines.

Residents retrieve their belongings after their house was destroyed by a fallen tree caused by Typhoon Bopha.

Residents take temporary shelter at an evacuation center as local officials ordered enforced evacuation ahead of Typhoon Bopha.