|
Typhoon Helen maintained its strength as it moved closer to the
Philippines’ northernmost province of Cagayan on Tuesday night,
according to the national weather bureau.
Heavy rain it brought caused flooding in many
areas in Metro Manila and suspension of classes in elementary and
high schools in the country’s capital, Manila.
The flooding led a lawmaker to demand the head
of Bayani Fernando, the chief of the Metro Manila Development
Authority, or MMDA.
In its late Tuesday advisory, the weather
bureau—Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration—said Helen was about 140 kilometers east
of Aparri, Cagayan, as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, with maximum sustained
winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up
to 90 kilometers per hour.
The typhoon was moving west-northwest at 7
kilometers per hour and is about 60 kilometers north of Aparri by
Wednesday evening, the weather bureau said.
The tropical storm will continue to enhance the
southwest monsoon and bring rains over the rest of Luzon —the
country’s biggest group of islands—particularly over the western
section, it added.
The heavy rain brought by Typhoon Helen caused
suspension of classes in all elementary schools and secondary
schools in Manila.
Resignation calls
For his alleged failure to stop flooding in
Manila and other cities and towns composing Metro Manila, Fernando
has been asked to resign as the chief of the authority.
Rep. Roilo Golez of Parañaque City, a part of
Metro Manila, said in a text message that Congress should
investigate Fernando, particularly on the status of
multibillion-peso funds for projects aimed at stopping flooding in
Metro Manila.
“I urge him to resign, because of his
mega-billion failed promise about flood control, among many failed
promises, so he can concentrate on his bid for higher office, turn
over the MMDA chairmanship to someone who is less political and who
can serve full time and be more effective,” Golez added.
-- Ruben D. Manahan 4th, Sammy Martin and Xinhua
|
