Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Northern Indonesia will experience high waves and significant rainfall in the next few days, though it will be minor compared to the impact of the typhoon in the Philippines, according to officials.

"The category four hurricane that struck the Philippines will also be felt in the northern part of Indonesia, such as in Kalimantan Island and Maluku," said Chairman of Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Andi Eka Sakya on Monday.

Hurricane Haiyan struck the Philippines last Friday, Nov 8, causing damage on some islands.

The death toll resulting from Super-typhoon Haiyan, released by local authorities, continues growing, though the official tally stands at 138.

Local television ABS-CBN News quoted estimates from Tecson John Lim, administrator of Tacloban City, as saying the number of fatalities stood at 500.

Tacloban city is considered the worst-hit area in the central Philippine province of Leyte, where Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, struck the Philippines.

Some bodies were reportedly seen floating in flood waters at the height of typhoon Yolandas onslaught in Tacloban City on Friday.

Local media, citing an official from the Philippines Red Cross, said the strongest typhoon of the year is believed to have killed 1,200 people in the Philippines.

The Philippine government, meanwhile, found it difficult to gather information on the typhoons impact because of disrupted telecommunication services.

President Benigno Aquino III has ordered all government agencies to intensify search-and-rescue operations and assure that aid reaches people affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Further, Secretary of Interior and Local Government Manuel Roxas II has traveled to Tacloban city in Leyte and has been updating President Aquino on the situation. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013