‘Igme’ strengthens but moving slowly

Source: Pagasa website

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical storm “Igme” continued to strengthen as it remained almost stationary, the state weather bureau said Monday.

Public storm warning signal number one remained hoisted in Isabela and Cagayan, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

As of 4a.m., it was moving north slowly and was seen 300kilometer east southeast of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds 85kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph.

“Igme” was forecast to be 360 km east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan by Tuesday morning; 320 km east of Basco, Batanes by 320 kilometers by Wednesday morning; 380 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes by Thursday morning.

Moderate to heavy rains or a rainfall amount between 5 and 15 mm per hour was seen within the 500km diameter of Igme, Pagasa said.

It is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring light to moderate rains over the rest of Northern Luzon, (particularly Benguet, Baguio, Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos provinces) Central and Southern Luzon especially over the western section.

Landslides and flashfloods, Pagasa said, were also possible especially in low lying and mountainous areas and Northern Luzon.

Fishing boats and other small vessels were advised by the weather bureau not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon due to waves caused by tropical storm and the southwest monsoon.