PAGASA monitoring ‘Igme’

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Igme will not make landfall but may bring rains over parts of the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Igme was monitored 530 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes as of 3 p.m. yesterday as it moves north westward at 15 kph.

It was carrying maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Igme will move generally west northwestward and may exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday.

It will remain as a tropical depression and gradually weaken into a low-pressure area by Monday.

State weather forecasters said wind signal No. 1 may be raised over parts of the country as Igme also enhances the southwest monsoon.

Igme will bring rains with gusty winds over Batanes today.

Meanwhile, occasional rains are forecast over Ilocos region, Bataan and Babuyan Islands due to the monsoon.

Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Western Visayas, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar may see scattered rains.

The rest of the Visayas is forecast to see isolated rains due also to the monsoon.

Localized thunderstorms will bring isolated rainshowers over Mindanao.