Storm 'Igme' intensifies, moves closer to Batanes
Public storm signal no. 2 over Batanes
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:31:00 07/26/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Tropical storm “Igme” (international code name: Fung Wong), packing maximum sustained winds of 105 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph, has intensified and moved closer to the Batanes-Taiwan area, the weather bureau said in its latest bulletin Saturday.
In its bulletin posted on its website, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration also placed the Batanes group of islands under public storm signal number 2 (60 to 100 kph winds), and the Calayan and Babuyan groups of islands under public storm signal number 1 (30 to 60 kph).
The storm will “continue to enhance the southwest monsoon [and] bring rains to the western portions of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” it said.
The weather bureau thus warned residents in low-lying areas against flashfloods and landslides.
As of 10 a.m. Saturday, the storm, moving west at 15 kph, was spotted 540 kms east-northeast of Basco, Batanes, and is expected to be some 200 km northeast of Batanes on Sunday morning.
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