Wind signals lifted as ‘Gener’ moves away; storm-enhanced ‘habagat’ to bring rains over parts of Luzon


At a glance

  • Based on PAGASA’s 11 p.m. bulletin, the center of Tropical Depression Gener was located 355 kilometers west of Bacnotan, La Union, and is about to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

  • Tropical Storm Helen, which entered the PAR on Tuesday evening, is expected to exit the PAR by Wednesday afternoon.

  • However, PAGASA warned that the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” enhanced by Gener and Helen, could bring heavy rains over parts of Luzon in the next three days.


IMG_4290.jpeg
Satellite image of Tropical Depression Gener and Tropical Storm Helen (Courtesy of PAGASA)

All tropical cyclone wind signals have been lifted as of 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, as Tropical Depression “Gener” continues to move away from the country, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Based on PAGASA’s latest bulletin, the center of the tropical depression was located 355 kilometers west of Bacnotan, La Union, and is about to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Gener is no longer expected to have a direct impact on any part of the country; therefore, wind signals have been lifted.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm “Helen” (international name “Pulasan”) was located 1,290 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon as of 8 p.m.

It has maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 105 kph. 

The storm, which entered the PAR on Tuesday evening, is expected to move westward at 40 kph.

If it continues on its current track, Helen will be outside the PAR by Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 18.

However, PAGASA warned that the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” enhanced by Gener and Helen, could bring heavy rains over parts of Luzon in the next three days.

Based on its rainfall forecast, PAGASA said heavy to intense rainfall  (100 to 200 millimeters) may persist in Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, and Antique from Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) may affect Metro Manila, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, the rest of Western Visayas, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, and Cavite.

From Wednesday evening to Thursday evening, Sept. 19, heavy to intense rainfall may continue in Palawan and Occidental Mindoro.

Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Ilocos Region, and Western Visayas may experience moderate to heavy rainfall.

From Thursday evening to Friday evening, Sept. 20, moderate to heavy rainfall may affect Zambales, Bataan, and Pangasinan.

PAGASA warned of possible flooding or landslides, especially in areas classified as “highly or very highly susceptible” to these hazards and areas that have received substantial rainfall in the past few days.