Typhoon ‘Igme’ seen to return to PH today

WHILE typhoon “Julian” (international name Bolaven) exited the country last Sunday, and moved to southern Japan, typhoon “Igme” (Tembin) appears to be headed back to the country anytime between yesterday and today.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned of possible flashfloods and landslides in northern Luzon as both “Julian” and “Igme,” is seen to enhance the habagat (southwest monsoon) and bring occasional to frequent rains over northern and Central Luzon.

The rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

Pagasa said as of 1 p.m. last Sunday, Igme was almost stationary at 460 kilometers northwest of Laoag City although still outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

But by 4 p.m., it had moved south southeast at 7 kilometers per hour and was at 490 km west of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

Weather forecaster Jory Loiz told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Igme was hardly moving because of its continuing interaction with Julian.

“Typhoon Julian is preventing its movement,” Loiz explained, noting that while Igme was almost stationary, it was apparently growing in intensity.

Julian left the PAR at 4 a.m. last Sunday and was last estimated to be at 850 km northeast of Basco, moving northwest at 15 kph towards Japan.

Julian packed maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center with gustiness at 210 kph.

Pagasa Mactan weather analyst Quily Toregoza said Cebu and the rest of Central Visayas will still experience rains in the afternoon.

Cebu’s temperature was recorded at 34 degrees Celsius as of 3 p.m yesterday. Inquirer with a report from Correspondent Fe Marie Dumaboc