MANILA—The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday morning raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 over parts of Eastern Samar due to the threat of Typhoon Ambo, with international name “Vongfong.”
The state weather bureau said the typhoon is expected to make a landfall over the northeastern part of Northern Samar in the afternoon of Thursday before heading towards Sorsogon and other parts of Southern Luzon.
“Violent winds ranging from 121-170 kilometers per hour and heavy torrential rains of the eyewall region may begin affecting Northern Samar and Eastern Samar within 12 hours”, PAGASA said.
TCWS No. 3 was hoisted early Thursday morning in the following areas: Northern Samar province and northern portion of Eastern Samar province, which include Jipapad, Arteche, Maslog, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpio, Canavid and Taft. Also included are the northern portion of Samar province such as Calbayog City, Sta. Margarita, Gandara, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Matuguinao, and San Jose de Buan.
Meanwhile, the areas covered under TCWS No. 2 with wind gustiness between 61-120 kilometers per hour are Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, which include Siruma, Tinambac, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Presentacion, Caramoan, Calabanga, Bombon, Magarao, Canaman, Camaligan, Gainza, Pamplona, Naga City, Milaor, San Fernando, Minalabac, Pili, Ocampo, Tigaon, Bula, Baao, Sagñay, Iriga City, Buhi, Nabua, Balatan, Bato, and Ticao Islands, which include San Pascual, Claveria, Monreal, San Jacinto, San Fernando, Batuan, Aroroy, Baleno, Masbate City, Mobo, Uson, Dimasalang, Palanas, Cataingan, and Pio V. Corpuz.
Same signal also hovered over the central portion of Samar, which include Tarangnan, Catbalogan City, Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, San Sebastian, Hinabangan, Tagapul-an, Almagno, Sto. Niño, as well as the central portion of Eastern Samar like Sulat, San Julian, Borongan City, and Maydolong.
Typhoon Ambo similarly caused torrential rains in many parts of Mindanao swelling rivers, igniting flashfloods and landslides. A strong rain fell at around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, in Davao City raising fears among residents of flood-prone areas like Calinan, Mintal, Callawa, Mandug, Tigatto, and Ma-a that are along the rivers of Davao and Talomo.
Tacurong City, Maguindanao also reported of heavy rains that caused flashfloods in the city starting Tuesday evening. The family of Mila Alining, a resident of Tacurong City was forced to relocate to a relative after strong winds that accompanied the heavy rains destroyed the roof of their house.
