MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Igme (international name: Bavi) has intensified into a tropical storm, the state weather bureau said Saturday morning.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) added that “Igme” is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) between Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
In Pagasa’s 11 a.m. weather update, state meteorologists said that “Igme” was last spotted at 340 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes.
“Igme” packs maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
The tropical storm was moving northwestward at 10 kph.
Pagasa said that “Igme” was likely to pass very close or over Yonaguni Island in southern Japan.
“Igme” was also forecast to reach severe tropical storm category within 24 hours.
While “Igme” has no direct effect on the country, it will enhance the “habagat” or southwest monsoon, therefore bringing light to moderate to at times heavy rains over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, and Bataan.