‘Helen’ moves away from PH; storm signals lifted–Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — All public storm warning signals were lifted as tropical storm “Helen” accelerated and moved away from the country, the state weather bureau said Thursday.

However, the weather disturbance will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing rains and moderate to strong winds over Luzon and Visayas, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

As of 4 a.m., Helen was seen 290 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City, moving west-northwest at 17 kph.

Nadine Balingit protects herself from the rain brought by tropical storm Helen as she is pulled in a makeshift raft across floodwaters that was brought last week by the monsoon in Macabebe, Pampanga.INQUIRER PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 85kph near the center with gustiness of up to 100kph.

It is expected to be out of the Philippine territory by afternoon.

Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas remained alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Fishing boats and other small seacraft are still advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Luzon and Western Visayas due to combined effects of Helen and the southwest monsoon.

Meanwhile, rainfall warnings in Metro Manila were terminated as of 4:20 a.m., but occasional light to moderate rains in parts of Metro Manila is still possible, Pagasa said.