MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Wind Cyclone Signal (TWCS) Number 3 was raised over Northern Samar and the northern parts of Eastern Samar and Samar as Typhoon Ambo closes in on the Eastern Visayas region Thursday morning.
In its 5:00 a.m. severe weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that as of 4:00a.m., “Ambo” was 230 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 185 kilometers per hour.
“Ambo” was moving west at 15 kilometers per hour.
The three Samar provinces will experience heavy, intense to at times torrential rains.
Moderate to heavy and possibly intense rains over Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, Masbate, and the rest of Eastern Visayas are expected.
Pagasa also warned of 1 to 3-meter storm surges in affected coastal areas.
“Along with large swells, this storm surge may cause potentially life-threatening coastal inundation. Sea travel is risky for all types of seacrafts over the seaboards of areas under TCWS,” Pagasa also said.
“Ambo” is expected to make landfall over the northern part of Northern Samar this afternoon or early evening.
“Violent winds and heavy to torrential rains of the eyewall region may begin affecting Northern Samar and the northern portions of Samar and Eastern Samar within 12 hours,” the Pagasa bulletin said.
“Residents in these areas are advised to take appropriate 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,” Pagasa added,
In Metro Manila, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers will be observed due to localized thunderstorms, according to Pagasa in a separate daily weather update.
Areas placed under TCWS No. 3 (Winds of greater than 121 kph up to 170 kph may be experienced in at least 18 hours)
– Northern Samar
– northern portion of Eastern Samar
Jipapad
Arteche
Maslog
Dolores
Oras
San Policarpio
Can-avid
Taft
– northern portion of Samar
Calbayog City
Sta. Margarita
Gandara
Pagsanghan
San Jorge
Matuguinao
San Jose de Buan
TCWS No. 2, which means winds of greater than 61 kph and up to 120 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours, is also raised over the following areas:
– Catanduanes
– eastern portion of Camarines Sur
Siruma
Tinambac
Goa
Lagonoy
San Jose,
Garchitorena,
Presentacion,
Caramoan,
Calabanga,
Bombon
Magarao
Canaman
Camaligan
Gainza
Pamplona
Naga City
Milaor
San Fernando
Minalabac
Pili
Ocampo
Tigaon
Bula
Baao
Sagñay
Iriga City
Buhi
Nabua
Balatan
Bato
– Ticao Islands
San Pascual
Claveria
Monreal
San Jacinto
San Fernando
Batuan
Aroroy
Baleno
Masbate City
Mobo
Uson
Dimasalang
Palanas
Cataingan
Pio V. Corpuz
– central part of Samar
Tarangnan
Catbalogan City
Jiabong
Motiong
Paranas
San Sebastian
Hinabangan
Tagapul-an
Almagro
Sto. Niño
– central part of Eastern Samar
Sulat
San Julian
Borongan City
Maydolong
Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1, which means winds of 30 to 60 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours, is raised over the following areas:
– Cavite
– Laguna
– Batangas
– Rizal
– Quezon
– Marinduque
– eastern portion of Romblon
Banton
Corcuera
Romblon
Magdiwang
Cajidiocan
San Fernando
– Biliran
– the rest of Samar
– the rest of Eastern Samar,
– northern portion of Leyte
Calubian
San Isidro
Tabango
Villaba
Leyte
Kananga
Capoocan
Carigara
Barugo
San Miguel
Babatngon
Tunga
Jaro
Alangalang
Sta. Fe
Tacloban City
Palo
Pastrana
Dagami
Tabontabon
Tanauan
Tolosa