'Ambo' no longer a threat but new cyclone due this week

After causing at least two deaths, typhoon "Ambo" (Mawar) continued moving away from Philippine territory Monday, even as state weather forecasters warned a new cyclone may affect the country later this week.

 

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the potential cyclone, now an active low-pressure area, may follow the same path as "Ambo."

 

"’Yung ALPA [active low-pressure area] ay 870 km silangan ng Southern Mindanao. Ang forecast natin mag-i-intensify ito pero halos same track ni 'Ambo'," PAGASA forecaster Jun Galang said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

He said this means the ALPA—to be codenamed "Butchoy" if it intensifies into a cyclone—will graze the eastern section of Visayas and Luzon.

 

If it does not change course, he said the potential cyclone is not likely to make landfall on the country.

 

"Mga two to three days may posibilidad maging bagyo. Ngayon may kaliitan pa siya," he said.

 

However, he said it may bring heavy rain as it has dense clouds at the center. For now, he said it is not affecting any part of the country.

 

On the other hand, Galang said "Ambo" is no longer a threat to the country, although it has intensified.

 

"Ito ay papalayo na. Lalo itong lalakas pero wala na itong threat sa ating bansa," he said.

 

He said "Ambo" will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon but the rain will not be continuous in Metro Manila.

 

Ambo moving north-northeast

 

PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said "Ambo" was estimated at 380 km east of Basco, Batanes as of 4 a.m., with maximum winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

 

It is moving north-northeast at 15 kph and is expected to be 640 km northeast of Basco, Batanes by Tuesday morning.

 

By Wednesday morning it is expected to be 980 km northeast of Basco, Batanes.

 

PAGASA said "Ambo" is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over Southern Luzon and Visayas especially the western section which may trigger flash floods and landslides.

 

The western section of Northern and Central Luzon will experience cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rains and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides. The rest of Luzon and Western Visayas will have monsoon rains, it added.

 

Also, it said the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

 

Moderate to strong winds from the northwest to west will prevail over extreme Northern Luzon, and coming from the southwest over the rest of the country.

 

Coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.

 

PAGASA added "Ambo" may still bring an estimated 20 to 30 mm per hour (heavy) of rainfall within its 400-km diameter.

 

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the seaboards Luzon and the western seaboard of Visayas due to the combined effects of 'Ambo' and the southwest monsoon," it said.

 

PAGASA also warned of strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of southwest monsoon enhanced by "Ambo."

 

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. –KG, GMA News