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MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATED: 8:48PM) The active low pressure area (ALPA) spotted East of Northern Luzon has developed into a Tropical Depression and was named "Helen", the eighth tropical depression to enter in Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this year, the state weather bureau said on Sunday.
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 4 p.m. Sunday, "Helen" was estimated at 750 kms East of Casiguran, Aurora (16.7°N, 130.2°E) with maximum sustained winds of 55 kms per hour (kph) near the center.
PAGASA said that "Helen" carries about 10 to 20 mm per hour (heavy - intense) of rainfall within its 350-km diameter coverage.
The weather agency expects "Helen" to enhance the Southwest Monsoon that will bring rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, especially the Western section.
Weather forecaster Gladys Saludes said that as of now "Helen" would not affect the country and expected to be out in PAR by Thursday towards Taiwan.
“Si bagyong Helen sa ngayon wala pang direct effect sa bansa pero unti-unti mae-enhance na siya ng southwest monsoon o habagat, kung palalabas na ito patungong Taiwan expected to come out on Thursday dahil mabagal yung galaw kaya matatagalan [Helen as of now has no direct effect on the Philippines but it will be enhanced by the southwest monsoon or habagat as it starts moving out towards Taiwan; this is expected on Thursday yet, since it is slow-moving],” Saludes said.
She added no storm signal warning was raised over the country.
Helen is seen to move West Northwest at 11 kph and is expected to be at 550 km East Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora on Monday afternoon.
It was expected to be at 410 km Northeast of Casiguran on Tuesday afternoon and by Wednesday afternoon, it could be 300 kms North of Aparri, Cagayan.
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