LPA becomes tropical depression; Signal No. 1 up over 7 areas

Screen grab from DOST-PAGASA’s FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

The low pressure area east of Borongan City has developed into the first tropical depression to enter the country in 2016, the state weather bureau said.

In a weather bulletin late Sunday morning, Pagasa said that the tropical depression, named “Ambo,” is at 182 km east of Virac, Catanduanes.

It has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and is expected to move in a west northwest direction at 10 kph.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 was raised over seven areas: Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Northern Quezon including Polillo Islands, Aurora, and Quirino.

Pagasa said that Ambo is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Bicol Region. But it expects the tropical depression to weaken when it makes its landfall in Aurora province on Monday.

The state weather bureau cautioned residents in places under Signal No. 1 against possible flashfloods and landslides. JE/rga