The monstrous storm, named Vongfong (Philippine name "Ompong"), was picking up speed as it churned through the far west of the Pacific Ocean.

"Its strength is very much similar to Haiyan (Yolanda)," which ravaged the Philippines in November, said a meteorologist at the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Haiyan left nearly 8,000 people dead or missing when gusts of around 300 kilometers (190 miles) per hour tore through the country, generating giant waves that swamped coastal communities.