Signal No. 1 raised over Samar towns as ‘Ambo’ nears PH

May 13 ------ Tropical cyclone Signal No. 1 has been raised over several areas in Eastern and Northern Samar on Wednesday morning as tropical storm “Ambo” (international name: “Vongfong”) continued to move closer to the country and maintained a possible landfall over the Bicol region by Friday. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed under Signal No. 1 the northern portion of Eastern Samar, specifically Jipapad, Maslog, Arteche, San Policarpio, Oras, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, and Borongan City, and the eastern portion of Northern Samar, namely Lapinig, Gamay, Mapanas, Palapag, Laoang, Catubig, and Las Navas. Weather specialist Meno Mendoza said residents in these areas have a lead time of approximately 36 hours to prepare for the effects of the approaching tropical storm. Winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) or intermittent rains may begin affecting areas under Signal No. 1 within 36 hours. As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, “Ambo” was estimated 410 kilometers (km) east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, maintaining its north-northwest track but slightly slower at 15 kph. Its maximum winds further increased from 65 kph to 85 kph, while its gustiness increased from 80 kph to 105 kph. According to Mendoza, the trough or extension of “Ambo” may bring scattered light to moderate with at times heavy rains during thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas this Wednesday. By Thursday, he said, moderate to heavy rains from the outer circulation of “Ambo” may already affect Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate. PAGASA advised residents in these areas to take extra precautions against possible flooding and rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall. As early as today, fisherfolk and those with small sea craft were advised not to set sail into the eastern coasts of Bicol, and northern and eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas due to rough seas. “Ambo” is forecast to be at 290 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar by Thursday morning; at 40 km east of Legazpi City, Albay on Friday morning; and in the vicinity of Laur, Nueva Ecija by Saturday morning. Source: mb.com.ph