Tropical storm "Helen" has maintained its strength

At 10:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Storm "Helen" was estimated at 230 km East Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora (16.8 °N, 124.8 °E).

Maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. Forecast to move West Northwest at 13 kph.

Tropical Storm "HELEN" is expected to be at 50 km North Northeast of Tuguegarao City by tomorrow
morning and at 270 km West Southwest of Basco, Batanes by Thursday morning. By Friday morning, it is
expected to be at 550 km Northwest of Basco, Batanes.

Public storm warning signal:

Signal no.2

Cagayan including
Calayan and Babuyan
Group of Islands, Isabela,
Apayao, Kalinga, and
Batanes Group of Islands.

Signal no.1

Aurora, Quirino, Nueva
Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, Mt.
Province, Ilocos Sur, Abra,
and Ilocos Norte

Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal #2 and #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and
landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under public storm warning #2 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this
tropical cyclone.

Tropical Storm "Helen" will enhance the Southwest Monsoon that will bring rains over Luzon and Visayas especially over the western section.

Estimated rainfall amount is from 15 – 25 mm per hour (heavy - intense) within the 500 km diameter of the Tropical Storm.

Intermittent light to moderate rains (2.5 – 7.5 mm/hr) are now affecting Central and Southern Luzon becoming more frequent moderate to heavy rains (7.5 – 10.0 mm/hr) today over Camarines provinces, Quezon province, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro,
Bataan, Zambales, Pangasinan, Tarlac and Metro Manila.

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the Seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas due to Tropical Storm "Helen" and the Southwest Monsoon. — ARA