Signal No. 1 up in Batanes as Igme reenters Philippines

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 6:32 p.m., 27 August 2012

MANILA, Philippines – Public storm warning signal number one was hoisted in Batanes Group of Islands as typhoon Igme neared to re-enter the Philippine territory by Monday evening, the state weather bureau said.

Igme was spotted 310kiloemeters west northwest of Basco in Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 140kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph. It was moving northeast at 13kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Moderate to heavy rains were seen within the 600 km of the typhoon and expected to enhance the southwest monsoon.

Fishing boats and other small vessels were advised not to venture out into the seaboards of northern and Central Luzon due to big waves generated by Igme.