'Ambo' gains strength; 2 areas under signal no. 2
-A A +ASaturday, June 2, 2012
MANILA (3rd Update, 6:15 p.m.) -- The state weather bureau hoisted public storm warning signal number 2 in two groups of islands in Luzon as Tropical Storm “Ambo” (international codename: Mawar) gained strength Saturday afternoon.
Placed under signal number 2 are the Batanes Group of Islands and Calayan Islands, while the provinces of Northern Aurora, Isabela, Cagayan and Babuyan Island remain under signal number 1.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) defines a tropical storm as a moderate tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 64 to 118 kph. Areas under signal number 2 will experience 60 to 100 kph winds, while those under signal 1 will have 45 to 60 kph winds.
Pagasa said in its 5 p.m. Saturday bulletin that “Ambo” continues to move along the eastern coast of Northern Luzon. It was spotted at 210 kilometers northeast of Casiguran, Aurora as of 4 p.m.
“Ambo,” packing maximum winds of 95 kph and gustiness of up to 120 kph, is forecast to move north northwest at 15 kph. It is expected to be at 150 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes by Sunday afternoon, 440 kilometers northeast of Basco by Monday, and 780 kilometers north northeast of the same province by Tuesday.
Pagasa alerted Saturday residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signals against possible flashfloods and landslides.
It said Ambo will bring heavy rainfall, with an amount from 15 to 25 millimeters per hour, within its 400 kilometer diameter.
Pagasa also said that "Ambo" is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas even until next week.
Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are still advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas and the eastern seaboard of Northern and Central Luzon due to the combined effect of "Ambo" and the southwest monsoon.
The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 p.m. today.
Pagasa said the tropical storm may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility as early as Monday or Tuesday. (Sunnex)
Forum rules: Do not use obscenity. Some words have been banned. Stick to the topic. Do not veer away from the discussion. Be coherent and respectful. Do not shout or use CAPITAL LETTERS!
