LPA develops into Tropical Depression Igme, brings rains over Batanes, Babuyan Islands

The Low Pressure Area (LPA) northeast of Batanes has developed into Tropical Depresion Igme, PAGASA reported in its Severe Weather Bulletin reported issued late Friday evening.

As of 10 p.m. on Friday, the center of Tropical Depression Igme was estimated at 245 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes and moving northward at 15 kilometers per hour packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Tropical Depression Igme is forecast to track generally northeastward throughout the forecast period.

It is likely to pass very close or over Yonaguni Island in the southern Ryukyus (Japan) on Saturday afternoon and leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between Saturday afternoon and evening.

Igme is likely to steadily intensify in the next couple of days and is forecast to reach tropical storm category within 24 hours.

No tropical cyclone wind signal is currently in effect. However, intermittent gusts may be experienced over Batanes and Babuyan Islands due to the Southwest Monsoon slightly enhanced by Igme.

On Friday evening through Saturday evening, Igme will bring moderate to heavy rains over Batanes and Babuyan Islands while the Southwest Monsoon will bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, northern mainland Cagayan, Zambales, and Bataan.

Flooding and rain-induced landslide may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards. The public and local disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to monitor the Rainfall/Thunderstorm Advisories and Heavy Rainfall Warnings from PAGASA Regional Services Divisions and take appropriate measures.

Those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the northern and western seaboards of Luzon due to moderate to rough seas. -- BAP, GMA News