First Images of Typhoon Yolanda Landfall: 12 Million in Path of Destruction [PHOTOS, VIDEOS]

As the monster typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) continues to batter Philippines images showing the severity of the storm, which is being dubbed as the world's most powerful tropical cyclone in recent decades, have emerged.

More than 12 million people are in the path of the category-five super typhoon. No less than 125,600 have been forced to evacuate across the southeast Asian nation.

The eye of the storm has already made five landfalls as yet and is set to cause more devastation as sustained winds of up to 235kmph have been recorded. At least three storm-related deaths have been reported.

Many poor provinces have houses made of minimal materials, and the path of the storm has already been ravaged by a recent earthquake.

The super typhoon has already forced the cancellation of hundreds of local and international flights. A dozen airports have been shut down.

"We are fearful because there is talk that the sea will raise. We can feel the powerful winds, our school is now packed with evacuees. Trees in coastal areas have already fallen," an elementary school teacher named Feliza from Leyte province told Reuters.

"Damage and losses could be very high in these provinces and could impede recovery efforts after the typhoon," said a report released by Manila Observatory hours before the eye of the storm made landfall.

Power outages are predicted in the devastated areas for several weeks.