A powerful typhoon strengthened on Sunday as it approached the central Philippines and authorities issued warnings of destruction as they moved thousands of people to safety.

    Typhoon Nock-ten was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph (115 mph) with gusts up to 255 kph as it moved west over the ocean at 15 kmh, the national disaster agency said in its latest weather bulletin. Sustained wind was earlier 175 kph with gusts of 215 kph.

    The storm was expected to make landfall in Catanduanes province on the Bicol peninsula later on Sunday, and the highest storm alert had been issued there.

    Authorities fearing a storm surge have moved thousands of people out of coastal villages to safety. Land, sea and air travel has been suspended in some areas, leaving stranded thousands of people heading home for the holidays. 

    In 2013, more than 6,000 people were killed and 200,000 homes were destroyed when Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest-ever storm to make landfall in the Philippines, hit the central islands of Leyte and Samar.

Source: QNA