Bagyong Helen Update (August 13, 2012)

Bagyong Helen has intensified into a Tropical Storm and is now threatening Northern Luzon, the PAGASA reported Monday, August 13, 2012.

Bagyong Helen satellite image as of 11:32 a.m., August 13, 2012

According to the state weather bureau's 11 a.m. bulletin, the center of  Bagyong Helen was located based on satellite and surface data at 540 km East Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora (17.0°N, 127.8°E). Packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, the tropical cyclone West Northwestward at the rate of 13 kph, the PAGASA said.

PAGASA has hoisted Public Storm Warning Signal Number 1 over the following areas: Isabela, , Kalinga, Apayao, Cagayan, Babuyan, Calayan Group of Islands, and Batanes Group of Islands.

"Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides." PAGASA wrote. "Tropical Storm  Helen is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon that will bring rains over Luzon and Visayas especially over the western section. "

It added:  "Estimated rainfall amount is from 15 - 35 mm per hour (heavy - torrential) within 400 km diameter of Tropical Storm. Intermittent light to moderate rains (2.5 - 7.5 mm/hr) are now affecting Central and Southern Luzon becoming more frequent moderate to heavy rains (7.5 - 10.0 mm/hr) during the latter part of the day towards the evening over Camarines provinces, Quezon province, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas Mindoro, Bataan, Zambales and Metro Manila."

The next bulletin will be issued at 5 p.m.