Tropical depression to bring rains in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines – The low-pressure area spotted east of the country last week has intensified into a tropical depression and is expected to bring rains in many parts of Luzon in the next few days.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday that Tropical Depression Ambo is the first cyclone to enter the country this year.

It is forecast to make landfall over Aurora province today.

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, the eye of Ambo was located at 182 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center.

It was forecast to move west-northwest at 19 kilometers per hour.

As of 11:30 a.m. yesterday, public storm warning signal No. 1 was raised over Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Northern Quezon including Polillo Islands, Aurora and Quirino.

“These areas will have occasional rains with occasional gusty winds within the next 36 hours,” PAGASA said in its weather bulletin.

Occasional moderate to heavy rains were also forecast over Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Bicol region yesterday, the agency said.

PAGASA warned residents in low-lying and mountainous areas where signal No. 1 is up against possible flashfloods and landslides as Ambo is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains (2.5 to 10 millimeters per hour) within its 200-kilometer diameter.

The weather disturbance, however, is likely to weaken after making landfall over Aurora, PAGASA said.

Ambo is expected to be at 80 km east of Baler, Aurora this morning; 220 km west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte tomorrow morning; and 660 km northwest of Laoag City or 700 km west of Basco, Batanes by Wednesday morning.