Typhoon ‘Helen’ slams Taiwan

SCREENGRAB from Pagasa’s Facebook page

Typhoon “Helen” (international name: Megi) slammed into Taiwan on Tuesday afternoon, the state weather bureau said.

Helen is the third typhoon to hit Taiwan in September. It is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday evening.

The typhoon slightly intensified at 160 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 225 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Helen was moving at 19 kph and was last spotted 400 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Batanes Group of Islands.

Moderate to heavy rains are expected within Helen’s 800-kilometer diameter.

Taiwan has cancelled its work and classes even before the typhoon approached. Stock exchange and all domestic flights have also been cancelled.

Pagasa warned that sea travel is still risky over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon. RAM/rga

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