Super Typhoon Yolanda (International name - Haiyan) has further intensified and already reached the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). It's all set to unleash havoc across the archipelago by Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration confirmed on Thursday morning.

Haiyan was officially named Yolanda after it entered the PAR at 12:00 a.m. It was located at 943 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, carrying a maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour near the eye of the typhoon and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

"As of 12 a.m., PAGASA said Yolanda was located at 943 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur bearing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph," PAG-ASA released in its official statement via Phil Star.

Yolanda is moving west northwest at 30 kph and will bring heavy to intense rainfall (10 to 30 millimeter per hour) within its 600 kilometer radius. The typhoon is expected to gain more strength as it cruises through the Philippine Sea.

Preparing For the Worst

PAGASA's weather division chief Robert Sawi stated this super typhoon won't just be a walk in the park because it will carry a huge amount of rains along with strong winds. Sawi added that it's going to be a catastrophe to those regions which will be directly hit by the Typhoon.

"If winds would eventually surpass 185 kph, it's going to a catastrophe to those regions under storm signal number. If the storm continues to follow its initial tracking, signal number 4 will be immediately raised in Samar, Masbate, Romblon, northern Panay and Mindoro area," Sawi said in an interview with ABS-CBN.

Yolanda will only be the 15th typhoon to reach the storm signal 4 in the Philippines. PAGASA weather forecaster Christopher Perez said it will be the strongest typhoon to ever hit the country this year.

This early, the country should already prepare for the typhoon "which could be the strongest this year," PAGASA said via ABS-CBN.

At its current pace, it was carrying 30 millimeters of rains per hour, which is considered "intense".

Storm Signal Already Raised

Storm signal no. 1 is already raised in several parts of the Philippines with Yolanda still 900 to 1000 kilometers away from the country, as of 9:00 a.m (Phil time).

Visayas: Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran Island, Camotes Island: Mindanao: Surigao Del Norte, Siargao Island, Dinagat Island, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Northern part of Agusan Del Sur

For more Typhoon Yolanda 'Haiyan' Update, read more at IBT