The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday, Sept. 20 said the Low Pressure Area (LPA) near Batanes developed into a tropical depression and was given the local name “Igme.”

This is the country’s ninth tropical cyclone of 2024 and the fifth to form in September.

As of 4 p.m., Igme was located 530 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, and is expected to move northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph).

The tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph.

PAGASA warned that Batanes may experience moderate to intense rains, which could lead to flash floods or landslides.

Signal No. 1 was also hoisted over Batanes due to the anticipated strong winds from Igme, which means there is a minimal to minor threat to lives and property.

‘Habagat’ rains

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” may continue to affect parts of Luzon and Visayas.

Over the next 24 hours, Zambales may experience moderate to intense monsoon rains.

Occasional light to heavy rains may affect Ilocos Region, Bataan, and Babuyan Islands.

The habagat may also bring scattered light to moderate rains to Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Western Visayas, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.

The rest of Visayas and Mindanao may experience partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with isolated rain showers due to the habagat or localized thunderstorms.

Forecast track, intensity

PAGASA said Tropical Depression Igme is expected to move generally west-northwestward until Sunday morning, Sept. 22, before turning north-northeastward for the rest of the forecast period.

On this track, landfall and passage over Taiwan are not ruled out.

PAGASA said the weather disturbance is less likely to make landfall in the Philippines and may exit the country’s area of responsibility by Sunday.

In addition, Igme is expected to remain a tropical depression and may gradually weaken into LPA by early Monday morning, Sept. 23.