Pagasa update: ‘Ambo’ intensifies, rains due in Mindanao
MANILA, Philippines – Tropical depression Ambo has slightly intensified as it moves slowly westward over the Philippine Sea, according to the 11 a.m. weather bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Monday. Pagasa said the trough or extension of “Ambo” will bring scattered light to moderate rains with isolated heavy rains during thunderstorms to Mindanao. Residents in the region are advised to continue monitoring weather updates, especially the local rainfall or thunderstorm advisories and heavy rainfall warnings of Pagasa Regional Services Division. At 10 a.m., the center of the tropical depression was spotted 340 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph. Moderate to rough sea conditions will be experienced in the eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas, Caraga region, Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental. Fishermen and operators and crew of small vessels are advised against setting sail. Meanwhile, Pagasa said the raising of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal in any part of the country remains less likely in the next 24 hours. In its early Monday weather forecast, Pagasa earlier said that “Ambo” may develop into a tropical storm and make landfall in the Bicol region on Thursday.