TYPHOON Helen has maintained its strength as it continues to move in a west northwest direction, the weather state bureau said Sunday, September 25.
In its 5 p.m. Sunday advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that the eye of the typhoon was located at 880 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan as of 4 p.m. of September 25.
The typhoon was forecast to move west northwest at 22 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph and gusts of up to 175 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 1 remained hoisted over Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands, where residents will experience 30-60 kph of winds in 36 hours. Wave heights in these areas will range from 1.25 to four meters.
Thunderstorm is affecting Metro Mnila, Cebu, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Camarines Sur and Romblon, added Pagasa.
The weather bureau also issued Gale Warning Number 2 to the northern and eastern seaboards of northern Luzon. This means that fishing boats and other small sea crafts were not allowed not to venture out into the sea, while larger sea vessels were alerted for big waves.
Residents in the affected areas were advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and possible flashfloods, said Pagasa.
Typhoon Helen is forecast to be at 510 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes by Monday morning and at 255 kilometers north of the same town by Tuesday, September 27.
It will exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday, September 28. (Sunnex)