Igme to leave PAR early Saturday morning

Tropical Depression Igme, now headed for Japan's southernmost islands, will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Saturday morning, PAGASA said.

According to PAGASA's 11 p.m. Friday bulletin, Igme was last seen 500 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.

It was moving northwestward at 40 km/h.

''Tonight through tomorrow, Igme will remain a tropical depression (although the possibility of becoming a short-duration tropical storm is not ruled out). A passing cold front over the East China Sea will weaken the tropical depression into a low pressure area by Sunday,'' PAGASA said.

No tropical cyclone wind signal was hoisted, but the following areas will continue to feel strong to gale-force gusts due to the effects of the enhanced Southwest Monsoon:

·      Friday to Saturday: Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the extreme eastern portion of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Zambales

·      Sunday: Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Zambales

PAGASA warned of heavy rainfall over the following areas due to the effects of the tropical cyclone:

Friday evening to Saturday evening:

·      Heavy to intense rains: Batanes

·      Moderate to heavy rains: Isabela and Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
Saturday evening to Sunday evening:

·      Moderate to heavy rains: Batanes and Babuyan Islands

The following areas will also see moderate to heavy rainfall due to the enhanced Southwest Monsoon:

·      Friday evening to Saturday evening: Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Bataan

·      Saturday evening to Sunday evening: Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan

PAGASA warned that flooding and landslides are likely to occur and advised concerned offices to remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, a gale warning has been placed over the Ilocos Region, while the seaboards of Batanes, Zambales, Babuyan Islands, Bataan, Kalayaan Islands, and Mainland Cagayan may expect up to rough conditions over the next 24 hours.

The seaboards of Isabela and Lubang Island may have moderate seas. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News