Igme intensifies into severe tropical storm, may become typhoon in 48 hours -PAGASA

Igme, with the international name Bavi, has intensified into a severe tropical storm, PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin on Saturday.

At 4 p.m., the center of Igme was estimated at 500 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

PAGASA said it is likely to steadily intensify in the following days and is forecast to reach typhoon category in 48 hours.

Igme is moving north northeastward at 20 kph. It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility between 5 a.m to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Though no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal is in effect, intermittent gusts may be experienced over Batanes and the Babuyan Islands due to the southwest monsoon that is slightly enhanced by Igme.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon may also bring light to moderate with, at times, heavy rains over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, and Bataan.

Residents were advised to take precautions against flooding and rain-induced landslides.

Due to moderate to rough seas, small seacrafts were advised to refrain from voyage over the northern and western seaboards of Luzon.

PAGASA is set to release a severe weather bulletin at 5 a.m. on Sunday. -MDM, GMA News