Isabela, Cagayan now under storm signal no. 1
-A A +ASunday, August 19, 2012
MANILA (Updated 1:50 p.m.) -- The government weather bureau raised Sunday storm warning signal number 1 over two provinces in the country as the low pressure area east of Northern Luzon has developed into a tropical depression.
Weather forecaster Jori Loiz said Tropical Depression Igme, the ninth tropical depression to enter the Philippines this year, will bring rains and winds over Northern Luzon.
He said that as of 11 a.m., Igme was estimated at 280 kilometers east southeast of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center. It is moving west slowly.
Loiz said Isabela and Cagayan, which are now under signal number 1, are expected to experience winds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) within the next 36 hours.
"We expect that Igme can enhance the southwest monsoon. This will bring rains over the western section of Central and Southern Luzon including Metro Manila,” Loiz said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Igme carries about five to 15 millimeters (mm) per hour (moderate-heavy) of rainfall within its 350 kilometer diameter coverage.
Pagasa warned residents living in Northern Luzon, especially in low lying and mountainous areas, against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are also advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon due to the tropical depression and the surge of southwest monsoon.
Igme is expected to be at 260 kilometers east southeast of Aparri, Cagayan on Monday morning.
On Tuesday morning, it is forecast at 130 kms east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan; and at 210 kms north of Aparri, Cagayan or over Basco Batanes by Wednesday morning.
The Pagasa also issued Sunday gale warning as strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon. (PNA/Sunnex)
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