‘Helen’ maintains strength, expect more rains in metro, nearby provinces

Tropical storm “Helen” (international name: Megi) maintains its strength as it continues to move in a west northwest direction, the weather bureau said late afternoon Sunday.

In its 5pm weather advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said “Helen” was located at 880 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan province.

“Helen” has maximum sustained winds of up to 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 175 kph, it added.

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within 800 km diameter of the typhoon, Pagasa said.

Sea travel is risky over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, it said.

It is expected with 24 hours or Monday afternoon at 395 km East Northeast of Basco, Batanes.

Tropical cyclone signal number 1 (30-60 kph expected in 36 hours) is still up in Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands.

Cloudy sky with rains and thunderstorms are expected in Metro Manila, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Rizal and the Ilocos region.

Pagasa said Bicol Region, Romblon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro and Northern Samar will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northwest will prevail along these areas, with moderate to rough seas.

All thunderstorm advisories over Mindanao are now terminated, it added.

Pagasa advised all to take appropriate actions and watch for the next weather bulletin to be issued at 11 pm today. Totel V. de Jesus, INQUIRER.net

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