'Igme' claims first victim

MANILA (Updated 11:45 a.m.) -- Typhoon "Igme" (international name: Tembin), the ninth storm to enter the Philippines this year, claimed its first casualty, disaster officials said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that a boy had drowned after he was swept away by strong water current in La Union at 8 a.m. of Sunday.

Michael Estacio was rushed to a medical center in Agoo, La Union, but was declared dead on arrival.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau said Igme was spotted 310 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, carrying center winds of up to 165 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 200 kph.

It continues to move in northward direction at 11 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported.

Three areas in Luzon remain under storm signal number 1, namely: Calayan Group of Islands, Babuyan Group of Islands and Batanes Group of Islands.

Pagasa said Igme carries about 10 to 15 millimeters per hour of rainfall within its 550 kilometer diameter coverage.

The typhoon is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring light to moderate rains over the western section of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

The NDRRMC said flashfloods caused by Igme have affected 353 families or 1,476 people in 10 barangays in five municipalities of La Union. The affected municipalities include Naguilian, Bacnotan, Burgos, Balaoan, and San Juan.

The NDRRMC has also monitored at least two flashflood incidents in La Union since Sunday evening.

The agency said that four roads in Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region were rendered impassable after they were damaged by previous typhoons and the southwest monsoon.

These include the San Fernando-Bagulin Road Km. 284+000 in La Union, which is not passable to all types of vehicles; and the Kabayan-Buguias-Abatan Road in Benguet, which is closed due to landslide. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)