Ambo now a tropical storm, signal no.1 raised in Samar areas

Tropical Depression Ambo is now a tropical storm, and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) now raised tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 in parts of Northern Samar.

On its severe weather bulletin issued at 5 AM, Wednesday, May 13, Ambo further intensifies while moving north-northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Samar Island.

At 4:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Storm “AMBO” was estimated based on all available data at 410 km East of Borongan City, Eastern Samar (11.7 °N, 129.2 °E )

PAGASA also issued a heavy rainfall outlook: today (May 13) with scattered light to moderate with at times heavy rain showers during thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas; and tomorrow (May 14) with moderate to heavy rains over Eastern Visayas, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate.

Residents in these areas are advised to take precautionary measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates, especially the local rainfall or thunderstorm advisories and heavy rainfall warnings from PAGASA Regional Services Divisions (PRSD). Flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur in highly to very highly susceptible areas during heavy or prolonged rainfall.

Strong to near-gale force winds associated with the TS will begin affecting the areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal #1 tomorrow afternoon.

Rough seas will be experienced over the eastern seaboard of the Bicol Region and the northern and eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas today. Sea travel is risky over these areas.

Tropical Storm Ambo is forecast to intensify further as it approaches the Eastern Visayas-Bicol Region area.

Ambo is moving North Northwest at 15 kph with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

Ambo Storm Signal No. 1

Visayas

• Northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad,Maslog, Arteche, San Policarpio, Oras, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Borongan City)
• and the eastern portion of Northern Samar (Lapinig, Gamay, Mapanas, Palapag, Laoang, Catubig, Las Navas)

Winds of 30-60 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours, or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours. (When the tropical cyclone develops very close to the locality, a shorter lead time of the occurrence of the winds will be specified in the warning bulletin.)