‘Helen’ slightly weakens, leaves two dead
Source: Project Noah 12:08 pm | August 15, 2012
MANILA, Philippines—Tropical storm “Helen” has slightly weakened as it moved to Aparri, Cagayan on Wednesday, the state-run weather bureau said.
Public storm warning signal number two or 61-100kph winds remained hoisted in Cagayan, Calayan Group of Islands, Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Northern Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Abra and Batanes Group of Islands, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
The head of the disaster-relief agency, Benito Ramos, reported two deaths, including a man who drowned while swimming in Ilocos Norte province and an epileptic who fell in the flood and drowned in Pangasinan.
He said some roads were flooded knee-deep, and government forecasters warned of intense rains that may drench the sprawling capital, Manila, which is still reeling from last week’s monsoon deluge.
Meanwhile, public storm warning signal number one or 45-60 kph winds was still up in Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, La Union and the rest of Aurora.
Pagasa said Helen will be out of the Philippine territory Thursday morning.
Moving at west northwest at 13kph, Helen was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and with gustiness of up to 90 kph.
As of 10a.m., it was seen 40 kilometers South Southeast of Aparri, Cagayan.
Estimated rainfall amount is between 20 and 35 mm per hour (intense – torrential) within the 500 km diameter of the tropical storm.
Moderate to heavy rains or rainfall between 7.5 and 12.0 mm/hr) and moderate to occasionally strong winds are expected over Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Luzon.
Meanwhile, Pagasa issued a yellow warning signal at 11:10a.m.
“Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over Metro Manila and will most likely to continue for the next three hours.
Flooding in low-lying areas and those located near the river and creek channels is possible. With a report from Associated Press and Philippine Daily Inquirer
Originally posted at 09:07 am |Wednesday, August 15, 2012
