Active low pressure area now Tropical Depression Helen

MANILA (Updated) -- The active low pressure area (Alpa) spotted east of Northern Luzon has developed into a tropical depression and was named "Helen," the eighth to enter the Philippine territory this year, the state weather bureau said on Sunday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 10 p.m. Sunday, "Helen" was estimated at 690 kilometers (kms) east of Casiguran, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kms per hour (kph) near the center.

Pagasa said "Helen" carries about 10 to 20 millimeters 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.

Tropical Depression Helen is expected to be at 590 km east northeast of Tuguegarao City by Monday evening, and at 420 km east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan by Tuesday evening. On Wednesday evening, it is expected to be at 220 km northeast of Basco, Batanes.

Weather forecaster Gladys Saludes said that "Helen" would not affect the country and is expected to be out in Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday heading 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. (It won’t directly affect the country but it will enhance the southwest monsoon as it moves to Taiwan). Expected to come out on Thursday dahil mabagal ‘yung galaw kaya matatagalan,” she said.

She added that no storm signal warning was raised over the country.

Last week, monsoon rains triggered massive flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, killing at least 85 people.

Some three million individuals had been affected by the inclement weather with half of million of them still in evacuation centers. (PNA/Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)