Super Typhoon Hagupit strengthens as it nears Philippines
Typhoon Hagupit has strengthened into a super storm over the Pacific as it approaches the Philippines, the BBC reported.
Hagupit, or "Ruby" in the Philippines, has gusts of up to 250km/h (155mph) and is forecast to reach land on Saturday.
It is on course for the Eastern Samar province and the city of Tacloban, where thousands were killed by Typhoon Haiyan a year ago.
Tens of thousands of people, many of whom still live in temporary shelters, are moving away from coastal areas.
Officials have warned the storm will bring heavy rain, storm surges and the risk of landslides.
Schools and government offices are closed and there were long queues at shops and petrol stations as people stocked up on supplies.
Hagupit is not expected to be a powerful as Haiyan, but could bring storm surges up to one storey high.