‘Helen’ roars toward Japan - Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical storm "Helen" (Kalmaegi) accelerated and started moving toward southern Japan Wednesday night, state weather forecasters said. In its 11 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Helen" was 170 kilometers east-northeast of Basco, Batanes as of 10 p.m. Pagasa said "Helen" packed winds of 95 kph near the center with gusts up to 120 kph. It was moving north-northeast at 19 kph. By Thursday evening it is expected to be 500 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes or 330 km southwest of Okinawa, Southern Japan. Under Storm Signal No. 2 are the Batanes Group of Islands and the Calayan Group of Islands. Under Storm Signal No. 1 were Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte. However, Pagasa said "Helen" would continue to whip up the southwest monsoon and dump rains over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas. "Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides," it said. It added residents along the coastal areas under Public Storm Signal Number 2 are warned against big waves and storm surges generated by "Helen." - GMANews.TV