DHAKA: Typhoon Hagupit is sweeping across the eastern Philippines, toppling trees and power lines and threatening coastal areas with a powerful sea-surge.

More than half a million people have fled coastal villages in the area, which was still recovering from Typhoon Haiyan last year.

In Tacloban, where thousands were killed by Haiyan, roofs have been blown away and streets are flooded.

But Hagiput does not appear to have been as severe as many had feared.

So far there have been no reports of casualties, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1202 HRS, DEC 07, 2014