MANILA (Updated) –- The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has raised signal number 2 in Batanes province, as Typhoon Helen maintains its track toward that area.
The typhoon, which continues to move west northwest at 22 kilometers per hour (kph), is expected to be closest to Batanes by Tuesday morning, the state weather bureau said Monday.
According to Pagasa’s 11 a.m. weather bulletin, the eye of Helen was located 530 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes.
It will have maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gusts of up to 185 kph.
Batanes is still reeling from the devastation brought by typhoons "Ferdie" and "Gener," which struck northern Luzon in the past weeks.
Pagasa noted areas within the 800-kilometer diameter of the typhoon will have moderate to heavy rains.
Signal number 1, on the other hand, was hoisted over the Babuyan Group of Islands.
The state-run weather bureau also warned sea travel is risky over the northern and eastern seaboards of northern Luzon.
In Cagayan Province, classes in all levels, both private and public schools, are suspended in Calayan and Fuga islands.
In a text message, Cagayan Provincial Information Office chief Rogelio Sending said Governor Manuel Mamba decided to suspend classes in the entire Calayan and Fuga islands after the recommendation of the Provincial Climate Change Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. (PNA)