The Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 hoisted over Batanes was lifted late Friday evening, Sept. 20, as Tropical Depression “Igme” is expected to leave the country’s area of responsibility within a few hours, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its 11 p.m. bulletin.
PAGASA said the lifting of the wind signal means that severe winds directly caused by Igme are no longer threatening any part of the country.
However, moderate to heavy rains due to the tropical depression may still affect Isabela and Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands.
The southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” may also bring moderate to heavy rains over Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Bataan.
PAGASA continues to warn the public against possible flooding or landslides, particularly in areas classified as “highly” or “very highly” susceptible, as well as those that have received significant rainfall recently.
As of 10 p.m., the center of the tropical depression was located 500 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, and it has accelerated northwestward, nearing the Sakishima Islands in the Ryukyu archipelago.
If it maintains its current track, PAGASA said the weather disturbance will be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Saturday morning, Sept. 21.