2 dead as ‘Helen’ expected to hit extreme N. Luzon Wednesday–Pagasa

source: inquirer.net

MANILA, Philippines – Two persons were reported dead as tropical storm “Helen” (international name: Kai-Tak) gathered more strength and was expected to hit extreme northern Luzon Wednesday.

According to the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) Tuesday afternoon, the fatalities were identified as Armando Borbon, 37, from Basista, Pangasinan, and Andrew Mariano, 47, from Dingras, Ilocos Norte.

Borbon was said to have drowned after suffering an epileptic seizure and fell into a flooded rice field Monday morning while Mariano was reportedly swimming in the Dingras River when he drowned Tuesday noon.



As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

The estimated amount of rainfall has increased to 20 to 35 millimeters per hour (intense to torrential) within the 500 kilometer diameter of the storm.



Signal No. 2 has been raised in Cagayan, the Calayan and Babuyan groups of islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Abra, and Batanes group of Islands.



Meanwhile, the provinces of Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur, and La Union have been placed under Signal No. 1.

The center of the storm was seen 230 kilometers east-southeast of Tuguegarao City and was expected to move northwest at 13 kph, it said.



“Tropical Storm ‘Helen’ is expected to be at 180 km north of Tuguegarao City or 70 km North of Aparri, Cagayan by tomorrow afternoon,” it said.

The southwest monsoon is expected to be enhanced by the storm bringing rains throughout Luzon. Fishing boats have been advised to avoid going out to sea while residents living near landslide prone areas have been told to evacuate.
source: inquirer.net