MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon "Helen" (Kalmaegi) maintained its strength as it continues to move away from the country Thursday night, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
With the development, the weather bureau lowered all storm signals, except for Batanes which remained under Storm Signal No. 1.
Pagasa, in its 11 p.m. bulletin, said "Helen" was estimated at 380 km north of Basco, Batanes as of 10 p.m., and packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.
It also said that "Helen" was moving north-northwest at 15 kph and was expected to be 700 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes or 200 km north of Taipei, Taiwan by Friday evening.
However, Pagasa said "Helen" will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over the western sections of Luzon.
It advised residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides.
An earlier report said that Helen" (Kalmaegi) has intensified into a typhoon and left two people dead and more than 4,000 families affected in Luzon and Visayas.- GMANews.TV