Typhoon Bopha made landfall on Mindanao early on Tuesday, bringing heavy rain and wind gusts¹ of 210 km/h.

 

The storm has caused widespread power cuts, travel disruption and flooding in areas at risk of landslides².

 

There were no immediate³ reports of casualties. Bopha comes a year after Typhoon Washi killed more than 1,500 people in the southern Philippines.

 

On Monday, President Benigno Aquino urged people in the typhoon's path to take Bopha seriously.

 

"It could be the strongest to hit the country this year," he said. "But we can minimize the damage and loss of lives if we help each other."

 

The eye of the 600-km wide storm was moving west at 26 km/h and was expected to sweep over southern and central provinces before reaching the South China Sea on Thursday, forecasters said.

 

Many of those who died were sleeping as Typhoon Washi caused rivers to burst their banks, leading to landslides.

 

The Philippines is struck by several typhoons and tropical storms every year.

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