Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 15) – Typhoon ‘Ambo’ continues to weaken its strength after crossing the Samar Island and now approaching Albay.
At present, ‘Ambo’ is bringing violent winds and heavy to intense rains over southern Sorsogon and Ticao Island.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also estimated ‘Ambo’ to make a landfall over the coast of Albay or the northern portion of Sorsogon in the next hours.
The eye of ‘Ambo’ (international name: Vongfong) was located 40 kilometers west southwest of Catarman, Northern Samar as of 10 p.m on Thursday.
According to PAGASA’s latest update as of 10 p.m. on Thursday, the typhoon reduced its maximum sustained winds to 130 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 215 kph.
PAGASA said for the next 24 hours, there will be moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Bicol Region, Quezon, Northern Samar, Marinduque, Laguna, and Rizal.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 is still hoisted in the western portion of Northern Samar, covering the towns of San Vicente, Capul, San Antonio, Allen, Victoria, San Isidro, Biri, Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose, Bobon, Catarman, Lope de Vega, Mondragon, San Roque, Pambujan, and Silvino Lobos.
Also under Signal No. 3 is the northwestern portion of Samar, particularly the towns of Calbayog City, Sta. Margarita, Gandara, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Tarangnan, Sto. Niño, Almagro, and Tagapul-an.
Areas in Luzon that are under Signal No. 3 are Sorsogon, Albay, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Marinduque.
The southern portion of Quezon is also under Signal No. 3, covering the towns of Pagbilao, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Plaridel, Unisan, Gumaca, Pitogo, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Tagkawayan, Calauag, Lopez, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, Buenavista, Guinayangan, Mulanay, San Narciso, San Andres, and San Francisco.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is raised in the rest of Northern Samar, Biliran, the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpo, Oras, Maslog, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian), and the central and northeastern portions of Samar province (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Catbalogan City, Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, Hinabangan, San Sebastian, Zumarraga, Daram, Talalora, Villareal, Pinabacdao, Calbiga).
Areas in Luzon that are under Signal No. 2 are Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, the rest of Quezon, and Romblon.
Also placed under Signal No. 2 in Luzon are the southern portion of Aurora (Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis, Dingalan), the southern portion of Nueva Ecija (Bongabon, Laur, Gabaldon, General Tinio, Peñaranda, Gapan City, San Leonardo, San Isidro, Cabiao), and the eastern portion of Pampanga (Candaba, San Luis, San Simon, Apalit).
Now in Tropical Cyclone Wind No. 1 are mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, the rest of Nueva Ecija, the rest of Pampanga, the rest of Aurora, and Oriental Mindoro.
Other areas under Signal No. 1 are the rest of Samar, the rest of Eastern Samar, the northeastern portion of Capiz (Pilar), the northeastern portion of Iloilo (Carles, Balasan, Estancia, Batad), and the northern portion of Cebu (Medellin, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Bantayan, Santa Fe).
Also under Signal No. 1 is the northern portion of Leyte Province, covering the towns of Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, Leyte, Capoocan, Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tunga, Alangalang, Sta. Fe, Palo, Tacloban City, Jaro, Villaba, Kananga, Matag-ob, Palompon, Merida, Isabel, Ormoc City, Albuena, Pastrana, Dagami, Tanauan, Tabontabon, Tolosa, Burauen, Julita, and Dulag.
In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said it expects ‘Ambo’ to be 15 kilometers east southeast of Infanta, Quezon.
By Saturday evening, the typhoon is expected to be in the vicinity of Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte.
The storm is seen to reach 130 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes by Sunday evening, before it travels outside the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday evening.
