Haiyan

Haiyan, known internationally as Typhoon Haiyan and locally as Yolanda, was a Pacific typhoon that caused catastrophic damage in November 2013. It originated as a tropical disturbance east of the Philippines, developed into a tropical depression on October 31, and rapidly intensified into a super typhoon by November 7–8. At its peak it had 1-minute sustained winds of about 315 km/h (195 mph) and a central pressure near 878 hPa, placing it among the most powerful tropical cyclones on record. Haiyan made several landfalls in the central Philippines, with the strongest strike near Tacloban on Leyte Island, where a massive storm surge caused widespread devastation.

Impact in the Philippines was severe. The official death toll was around 6,300, with thousands more missing. Millions were displaced and extensive destruction occurred across housing, infrastructure, and agriculture. The economic cost in the Philippines was estimated at about $2.9–3.0 billion, while the broader regional effects included disrupted supply chains and humanitarian needs across Southeast Asia. Outside the Philippines, Haiyan also caused casualties and damage in parts of Vietnam and neighboring countries, though with less intensity than in the central Philippines.

Response and legacy followed rapid international relief efforts and a large-scale rebuilding program. Haiyan highlighted the importance of early warning systems, communication, and disaster risk reduction, contributing to reforms in the Philippines’ disaster management framework and influencing regional approaches to resilience against extreme weather events. The storm remains one of the deadliest and costliest tropical cyclones on record in the region, and its memory has influenced preparedness and aid strategies for years afterward.