Bagyong Helen Weather Update August 14, 2012

August 14, 2012 at 4:00 a.m. today, Tropical Storm "HELEN" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 310 km East of Casiguran, Aurora (16.6°N 125.4°E) with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph. near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 15 kph. 

Signal No. 2: Isabela and Cagayan will experience stormy weather while Signal No. 1: Northern Luzon, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mt. Province and Abra will have rains with gusty winds and the coastal waters along these areas will be rough to very rough. The rest of Luzon and Western Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of Visayas and Mindanao will be mostly cloudy with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. 

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Southwest will prevail over the rest of the country and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.


Meanwhile, the water level in major dams remain critical due to downpour from Helen as well as the southwest monsoon rains last week.

Authorities have opened gates in the following dams as of August 13, 2012 at 8:00 a.m.
Angat dam, three gates at 3 meters each, releasing water at 440 cubic meters per second (cms)
Magat dam, two gates at 3 meters each, 702 cms;
Binga dam, three gates at 2.5 meters each, 248 cms;
San Roque dam, one gate at 0.5 meter, 330 cms;
Ipo dam, four gates at 3.3 meters each, 474 cms;
Ambuklao dam, two gates at 1.5 meters each, 248 cms.