5 December 2012 Last updated at 12:01

In pictures: Typhoon Bopha hits Philippines

Residents walk among their destroyed houses in Compostela town in Mindanao

The death toll from the powerful Typhoon Bopha - the strongest to have struck the Philippines this year - is continuing to rise.

Nasa image taken by Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford

Nasa released an image of the storm as it bore down on the Philippines with heavy rains and wind gusts of 210 km/h (130mph).

A family rest inside a classroom used as temporary shelter, after authorities evacuated residents in Butuan City on the southern island of Mindanao

About 40,000 people were moved to temporary shelters in schools and village halls before the typhoon made landfall.

Rescuers carry the body of a victim through floods in Compostela Valley (5 December 2012)

Water catchment basins for farms on top of the mountains gave way because of the torrential rains, sending down large volumes of water.

Woman cries after identifying the body of a victim (5 December 2012)

Many residents lost relatives as the cyclone devastated a wide swathe of the southern island of Mindanao.

Covered victim's body in Compostela Valley (5 December 2012)

"The waters came so suddenly and unexpectedly, and the winds were so fierce - that compounded the loss of lives," Compostela Valley's provincial governor told the Reuters news agency.

Children carrying belongings along a muddy road in New Bataan in Compostela Valley

One of the worst hit areas was the Compostela Valley, a mining region where mudslides have destroyed entire villages. Roads to dozens of towns were impassable because of fallen trees and collapsed bridges, rescuers said.

Destroyed banana plantation in Compostela town

The typhoon destroyed around 80% of plantations - most of them banana farms - in Compostela Valley province, according to official estimates. Philippines is the world's third biggest exporter of bananas.

Residents gather to check the list of relief supplies at an evacuation centre in Butuan City

The aid effort to help victims of the cyclone has begun with lists of relief supplies circulated at evacuation centres.

Asia

In pictures: Typhoon Bopha hits Philippines

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