‘Helen’ exits but southwest monsoon might bring rains–Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines—The state weather bureau lowered all public storm signals nationwide as Tropical Storm Helen exited the country on Thursday. But it cautioned the public to be wary of rains and winds brought by the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon.

At 4 a.m. Thursday, Helen was located some 290 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

The storm, still packing winds of 85 kph near the center and gusting up to 100 kph, was moving west northwest at 24 kph.

By the afternoon, Helen should already be well out of the Philippine area of responsibility at 530 km west northwest of Laoag City, Pagasa said.

Despite the storm’s departure, the weather bureau said it would continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that has been bringing rains and moderate to strong winds over Luzon and Western Visayas.

Pagasa warned people living in low-lying as well as mountainous areas of the possibility of flash floods and landslides caused by monsoon rains.

As in past weeks, fishing boats and other small seacraft in Luzonn and the Western Visayas were advised not to venture out to sea due to the combined effect of Helen and the southwest monsoon.