Typhoon Hagupit knocked out power in entire coastal provinces, mowed down trees and sent more than 650,000 people into shelters, but no major damage or casualties have been reported as the storm weakened on Sunda, the Hindu reported.

Traumatized by Typhoon Haiyan’s massive death and destruction last year in the central region that’s being partly whipped by Hagupit (pronounced HA’-goo-pit), more than 650,000 people readily fled to about 1,000 emergency shelters and safer ground. The government, backed by the 120,000-strong military, launched massive preparations to attain a zero-casualty target.

Nearly a dozen countries led by the United States and the European Union have pledged to help in case of a major disaster, disaster-response agency chief Alexander Pama said.(KH)