Tropical cyclone Signal No. 1 raised over Bicol, E. Visayas as ‘Ambo’ intensifies into severe storm
Tropical cyclone Signal No. 1 has been raised over several areas in Bicol and Eastern Visayas on Wednesday afternoon, as “Ambo” (international name: “Vongfong”) has further intensified into a severe tropical storm.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed under Signal No. 1Sorsogon, Ticao Island, Catanduanes, southern portion of Albay, which include Oas, Tabaco, Ligao City, Pio Duran, Guinobatan, Malilipot, Jovellar, Camalig, Santo Domingo, Bacacay, Rapu-rapu, Daraga, Legazpi, and Manito. Northern Samar, northern portion of Samar, specifically Calbayog, Sta. Margarita, Gandara, Matuguinao, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, San Jose De Buan, Tarangnan, Catbalogan City, Jiabong, Motiong, San Sebastian, Paranas, and
Hinabangan,and northern portion of Eastern Samar, namely Jipapad, Arteche, Maslog, Oras, San Policarpio, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, and Borongan City.
Weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said residents in these areas have a lead time of approximately 36 hours to prepare for the effects of the approaching storm.
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, “Ambo” was estimated 315 kilometers (km) east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar and is forecast to move west-northwest at 10 kilometers per hour (kph).
Its maximum winds has increased from 85 kph to 95 kph, while its gustiness increased from 105 kph to 11 kph.
Aurelio said “Ambo” will likely further intensify into a typhoon ahead of its landfall over Bicol Region between Thursday evening and Friday morning. A typhoon
has maximum wind speed of 118 kph to 220 kph.
By Thursday, PAGASA said moderate to heavy rains from the outer circulation of “Ambo” may affect Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate.
The weather bureau advised residents in these areas to take extra precautions against possible flooding and rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall.
As early as Wednesday, fisherfolk and those with small sea craft were advised against sailing into the eastern coasts of Bicol, and northern and eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas due to rough seas.
“Ambo” is forecast to be at 190 km east-northeast of Borongan City, Eastern
Samar, by Thursday morning, in the vicinity of Ocampo, Camarines Sur, by Friday morning, and in the vicinity of Banaue, Ifugao by Saturday morning.
According to weather specialist Joey Figuracion, the storm path has slightly moved upward but it may still hit the Bicol provinces.
After its landfall, Figuracion said “Ambo” may traverse the eastern section of Southern Luzon, eastern part of Central Luzon, toward Northern Luzon. Light to moderate rains becoming heavy during thunderstorms may be felt in Metro Manila by Friday.
Tropical cyclone Signal No. 1 may be raised over Metro Manila by Thursday, with a possibility of raising it to Signal No. 2 when the weather disturbance moves closer to the country, Figuracion added. .