“Ambo” threatens five Cebu towns

CEBU, Philippines — Metro Cebu will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and occasional heavy rains due to localized thunderstorms as five northern Cebu towns are placed under tropical cyclone warning signal number 1 as of 5 p.m. yesterday due to Typhoon Ambo.

The warning was hoisted over the towns of Medellin, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Bantayan, and Santa Fe as Ambo made landfall over San Policarpo in Eastern Samar at 12:15 p.m. yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that the areas under signal number 1 will experience strong to near gale-force winds during the passage of the typhoon.

This prompted the Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas to cancel the trips of three passenger cargo vessels and two cargo vessels.

PAGASA, in its Severe Weather Bulletin #15 issued at 5 p.m. yesterday, said that "Ambo" maintains its strength as it continues to move over the northern portion of Samar Province.

 The eye-wall of Typhoon "Ambo" is bringing violent winds and heavy to intense rains over the northern portion of Samar and the southern portion of Northern Samar.

 Typhoon "Ambo" has maximum sustained winds of up to 155 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 255 km/h. It is moving west at 15 km/h.

 It is expected to be at the vicinity of Catanauan, Quezon today.  FPL (FREEMAN)