Residents saw an uprooted tree to clear the road after Typhoon Bopha hit Tagum City, southern Philippines December 4, 2012.
A powerful typhoon has caused floods and set off mudslides that killed at least 74 people in the Philippines and forced thousands to flee their homes.
Typhoon Bopha, the strongest storm to hit the nation this year made landfall on the east coast of Mindanao island early Tuesday packing winds of more than 200 kilometers per hour that toppled trees and cut power lines. Floods swept away an army truck full of soldiers many of whom drowned.
Some 41,000 residents were evacuated to government shelters ahead of the landfall. At least 80 domestic flights have been cancelled, while ships were ordered to stay in port..
Joe Curry, the head of Catholic Relief Services in the Philippines, said authorities seem more prepared to deal with this storm compared to last year's Tropical Storm Washi, which killed more than 1,200 people.
Watch related video of Typhoon Bopha
"So far there's been more preparedness efforts at this time, but I think we're going to see the damage [reports] come out later today and tomorrow," said Curry. "I know there's been a lot of efforts at evacuating, but we'll have to see how the infrastructure holds up."
Forecasters say the storm is expected to weaken and move into the South China Sea by Thursday. Philippines authorities say they have stockpiled food supplies and rescue equipment in the storm's predicted path.
During last year's Tropical Storm Washi in December 2011, major flash floods and landslides wiped out entire villages on Mindanao. The archipelago country is vulnerable to severe flooding caused by heavy rains and tsunamis.
Typhoon Bopha Pounds Southern Philippines
1/12Relatives grieve as they view bodies recovered from floods in New Bataan, Compostela Valley province, southern Philippines, December 5, 2012.
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
2/12A rescuer covers bodies recovered from a flash flood in New Bataan, Compostela Valley province, southern Philippines, December 5, 2012.
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
3/12Filipino soldiers search for victims and survivors amid the devastation left by Typhoon Bopha, in the village of Andap, New Bataan township, Compostela Valley in southern Philippines, December 5, 2012.
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
4/12Members of the Band of the Irish Guards are reflected in an brass instrument during the Welcome Ceremony of the Irish President Michael D. Higgins in the town of Windsor, west of London.
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
5/12Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), or common man party, chief Arvind Kejriwal sits with supporters at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi after he was slapped by an attacker during his election campaign in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, April, 8, 2014. The AAP party
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
6/12Communist lawmakers scuffle with right-wing Svoboda (Freedom) Party lawmakers during a session of the Ukrainian parliament in Kyiv, April 8, 2014.
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
7/12Residents make their way through a flooded area of New Bataan township, Compostela Valley in southern Philippines, December 5, 2012, a day after Typhoon Bopha made landfall.
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
8/12Philippine National Police clear a highway of toppled coconut trees after Typhoon Bopha made landfall in Compostela Valley, December 4, 2012.
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
9/12Workers clear a highway of toppled trees after Typhoon Bopha made landfall in Compostela Valley, Philippines, December 4, 2012.
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
10/12Residents retrieve their belongings after their house was destroyed by a fallen tree caused by Typhoon Bopha in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, December 4, 2012.
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
11/12Residents saw an uprooted tree to clear the road after Typhoon Bopha hit Tagum City, Philippines, December 4, 2012.
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
12/12A dog is chained near a damaged house after Typhoon Bopha made landfall in Compostela Valley, December 4, 2012.
A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines, sending thousands of residents fleeing to government shelters.
