Government forecaster Aldczar Aurelio says Typhoon Bopha was 870 kilometers (540 miles) off southern Surigao del Sur province late Sunday with sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (115 miles per hour) and gusts of 200 kph (124 mph). The storm may still strengthen over sea and is expected to make landfall on Tuesday.
Benito Ramos, who heads the government's disaster response agency, says provincial officials have placed food packs and other emergency equipment in areas where the typhoon may pass.
Ramos says evacuations of villagers may be carried out as it becomes clear where the typhoon will hit.
