Philippines braces for massive typhoon

Residents in the central Philippines are stocking up emergency supplies and fleeing the coast ahead of the arrival of a powerful typhoon.

Typhoon Hagupit is expected to arrive on Saturday in Eastern Samar province.

It is the same region hit last year by a super typhoon that killed more than seven thousand people.

With the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan still fresh in their minds, many residents are taking no chances, forming long lines at grocery stores and gas stations.

Haiyan was one of the strongest storms ever to make landfall, and many of the regions it hit are still recovering.

The government, which was criticized for its response to Haiyan, has placed the military on alert and prepared evacuation centres in the areas likely to be worst-hit.

However, it noted that some forecast models show there is a 25 percent chance that the storm will instead curve and head north ward toward Manila.

Source: VOA