'Igme' slightly weakens

MANILA -- Typhoon “Igme” (International name: Tembin) slightly weakened and accelerated as it moved north northwestward on Tuesday, the state weather bureau said.

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Igme, the ninth storm to enter the Philippines this year, was spotted 330 kilometers (km) east northeast of Basco, Batanes.

The typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

The Batanes Group of Islands remains under storm signal number 1. Residents in this area will experience winds of 30-60 kph.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier 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.

The NDRRMC earlier reported that 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.

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

Typhoon “Igme” is expected to be at 370 km north of Basco, Batanes by Wednesday evening and at 510 km north northwest of the town by Thursday evening. It is moving at 13 kph. (Sunnex)