Authorities in the Philippines have begun a massive effort to distribute aid to survivors of super typhoon Haiyan.

It is believed one of the most powerful storms ever recorded has killed at least 10,000 people in one city alone.

Tacloban, a coastal city southeast of Manila, bore the brunt with villages as far as one kilometre from the shore flooded.

Most of the deaths appear to have been caused by surging sea water strewn with debris that many said resembled a tsunami.

“People are walking like zombies looking for food,” said Jenny Chu, a medical student in Leyte province. “It’s like a movie.”

The scale of the typhoon’s apocalyptic destruction is now starting to emerge. Strong, sustained winds exceeded 300 kilometres per hour, levelling entire towns.

International aid agencies say they are stretched to the limit and have called for food, water, medicines and tarpaulins for the homeless.

A host of countries and the European Union are sending specialist equipment and rescue workers to help the relief effort and search for thousands of missing people.