PAGASA: 'Ambo' becomes typhoon,  starts moving away from PHL

Tropical Cyclone Ambo (Mawar) intensified into a typhoon but started to move away from Philippine territory before noon Sunday, state weather forecasters said. In its 11 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said two areas remained under Storm Signal No. 1. But it also warned of more rain, saying Ambo may bring rainfall of 20 to 30 mm per hour (heavy) within its 400-km diameter. "Typhoon Ambo is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over the whole country especially the western section," it said. PAGASA said that as of 10 a.m., Ambo was estimated at 320 km east-northeast of Aparri, Cagayan with maximum winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It said Ambo is moving north-northeast at 13 kph and is expected to be 420 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes by Monday morning. By Tuesday morning it is expected to be 700 km northeast of Basco, Batanes. By Wednesday morning it is expected to be 1,090 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes.     Still under Storm Signal No. 1 are the Batanes and Calayan Islands. "Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas, under public storm warning Signal No. 1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," it said. PAGASA also advised fishing boats and other small sea crafts 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. — LBG, GMA News