'Ambo' brings early morning rains to Metro

MANILA,Philippines - Rains brought by Tropical Depression "Ambo," the first cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, surprised many residents in Metro Manila who were expecting another hot summer day. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) confirmed the rains stemmed from "Ambo," which is now moving west. "Sakop tayo ng kanyang kaulapan, medyo may kalawakan itong bagyong ito...Umaabot ang kaulapan sa Southern Luzon area (Its clouds covered Metro Manila and Southern Luzon)," Pagasa forecaster Leny Ruiz said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said that while it is seldom that such rains from a cyclone will occur at this time of year, it is not surprising because low-pressure areas usually form off Mindanao at this time. Meanwhile, many streets in Metro Manila were wet because of the early-morning rains, even as many commuters were caught without umbrellas. Pagasa said storm signal 1 was hoisted over Southern Negros, Southern Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Siquijor, and Camiguin provinces. "Residents in coastal areas under signal number one are alerted against big waves generated by this tropical cyclone," Pagasa said. In its first weather bulletin issued 5:45 a.m., Pagasa said that as of 4 a.m., "Ambo" was 60 kilometers east of Tagbilaran City or at 120 km east of Dumaguete City. "Ambo" packed maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and was moving west at 11 kph. The depression was expected to be 130 km west of Dumaguete City or 360 km east of Puerto Prinsesa City Tuesday morning; 110 km east of Puerto Prinsesa City Wednesday morning; and 170 km west-northwest of Puerto Prinsesa City Thursday morning. - GMANews.TV