‘Helen’ moving away from Laoag

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Tropical storm Helen gathered strength again but is now moving away from Northern Luzon, weather bureau PAGASA said on Wednesday, August 15.

As of 4 pm, Helen (international codename Kai-tak) continues to move north and its center was last spotted 90 km north of Laoag City (19.0°N 120.7°E).

Its maximum sustained winds are still 75 km/h near the center, with gusts of up to 90 km/h. Within its 500 km radius, rainfall is heavy to intense, estimated to be 15-20 millimeters per hour.

The storm made landfall over Palanan, Isabela at around 1 am.

After slowing down in the middle of the day, Helen regained strength and is currently moving west northwest at 17 km/h.

The tropical storm is expected to be 390 km west northwest of Laoag and leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by the afternoon of Thursday, August 16.

Public storm warning signal number 2 is still in effect over the following provinces:

• Batanes
• Cagayan (including the Calayan & Babuyan Island Groups)
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Kalinga
• Apayao
• Abra

These areas are currently experiencing winds between 61-100 km/h.

Travel by all types of sea vessels is  risky in these areas. Agricultural damage could be moderate, with rice and corn crops severely affected.

Pagasa has public storm warning signal number 1 (winds between 45-60 km/h) placed over:

• Nueva Ecija
• Isabela
• Northern Aurora
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Benguet
• Ifugao
• Mountain Province
• Pangasinan
• La Union

The weather bureau advised residents in low-lying and mountainous areas to prepare for possible landslides and flashfloods. Coastal areas under signal # 2 are also alerted against storm surges and big waves.

Wednesday’s weather

The storm will enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing rain over Luzon and Visayas.

Meanwhile, as Northern Luzon experiences stormy weather, the central and southern parts of the island and western Visayas will have occasional to frequent rain, which could trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Mindanao and the rest of the Visayas will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain and thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds from the southwest and rough coastal waters will prevail over the rest of the country.

Tuguegarao, Laoag, and Baguio will be stormy due to Helen, while Metro Manila will be rainy, with temperatures raining between 24-27°C, like Olongapo, Angeles, Tagaytay, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo and Bacolod. Legazpi will have occasional rain.

Cebu, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Zamboanga will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rain and thunderstorms, the bureau said.

The next severe weather bulletin for Helen will be released at 11 pm. –Rappler.com

For more weather updates, visit the #WeatherAlert Microsite.

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