MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Tropical storm "Helen" (international codename: Kalmaegi) moved closer to the northeast province of Cagayan late Tuesday evening after gaining strength, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

At 10 p.m., the eye of the storm, which packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour with gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour, was located 140 kilometers east of Aparri, the capital of Cagayan, the state weather bureau said.

Moving northwest, in the direction of Taiwan at seven kilometers per hour, the storm was forecast to be at 60 kilometers north of Aparri by Wednesday evening, 220 kilometers northwest of Basco town, Batanes province by Thursday evening, and 460 kilometers northwest of Basco or 100 kilometers west of northern Taiwan by Friday evening, PAGASA said in its 11 p.m. bulletin

More provinces were placed under public storm signal number 2 (60-100 kilometer per hour winds), including Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Batanes, Ilocos Norte, and the Calayan Islands, PAGASA said.

Public storm signal number 1 (30-60 kilometer per hour winds) was raised in the provinces of Abra, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, and Ilocos Sur.

While there is no official announcement, the government suspends classes up to the high school level in areas under signal number 2, and up to the elementary level in areas under signal number 1.

The weather bureau warned those in low-lying areas against flash floods and landslides while those in coastal areas were cautioned against big waves.