Tropical storm "Helen" has accelerated further and is now moving towards the southern islands of Japan, the weather bureau, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services or PAGASA, said in its 11 p.m. bulletin Wednesday.
"Helen", with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph, was spotted 120 km east northeast of Basco, Batanes, as of 10 p.m. Wednesday.
The storm is currently moving north northeast at 19 kph, and is forecast to be 500 km north northeast of Basco or 330 km southwest of Okinawa, Japan, by Thursday evening.
Public storm warning signal number 2 is currently raised over Batanes and the Calayan Group of Islands, while public storm warning signal number 1 is in effect over Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte. Storm warning signals elsewhere have been lowered by the country’s weather agency.
The storm will still continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring rain over the rest 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.
Residents along the coastal areas under Public Storm Signal Number 2 are alerted against big waves and storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone.
"The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5 AM tomorrow (Thursday morning)," the bulletin added.
