‘Ambo’ now a tropical storm; Signal No. 1 up in parts of Luzon

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MANILA, Philippines – The first weather disturbance to enter the country this year has intensified into a tropical storm, heading north of Luzon, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) to raise Signal No. 1 in affected areas.

In the path of the “Ambo” is Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Polillo Island, Aurora, and Isabela provinces, Pagasa said in a press conference Friday.

The center of “Ambo” was seen at 190 km Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes with Maximum winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kilometers per hour, Pagasa said.

pagasa.dost.gov.ph photo

It was moving North-Northwest towards Taiwan at 15 kph and was not likely to make landfall in Luzon.

Pagasa alerted residents living in low lying and mountainous areas for possible landslides and floods as “Ambo” was expected to bring 15-25 millimeters of rain per hour, considered as heavy, within the 500-km diameter of the Tropical Storm.

“Ambo” is also expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon that will bring rains over the western section of Southern Luzon and Visayas.

“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboard of Luzon and Visayas,” Pagasa said.