‘Igme’ intensifies further

Source: Project Noah website | 11:50 am, Aug 20, 2012

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical storm “Igme” (international code name: Tembin) has intensified further and continued to move slowly, the state weather bureau said on Monday.

Public storm warning signal number one was still up in Cagayan and Isabela, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

As of 10a.m., it was seen 280 km east of Aparri, Cagayan, moving north at 7kph. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center gustiness of up to 135 kph.

Moderate to heavy rains were still seen within the 500 km diameter of the storm.

“It was also expected to enhance the seasonal southwest monsoon that will bring light to moderate rains over Luzon specially the western section ( particularly Pangasinan,Zambales, Bataan and Mindoro),” Pagasa said.

Meanwhile, fishing boats and other small vessels were advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon due to big waves caused by “Igme” and the southwest monsoon.