Albay evacuates residents as Typhoon ‘Ambo’ threatens Bicol, Samar areas
Robie de Guzman • May 14, 2020 • 276
MANILA, Philippines – The local government of Albay on Thursday ordered the evacuation of vulnerable residents ahead of the onslaught of Typhoon Ambo (international name: VongFong).
The regional Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said families and individuals living in low-lying, coastal, mountainous, flood- and landslide-prone areas, and within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone of Mayon volcano will be prioritized in the evacuation.
The OCD added that residents near Mayon volcano channels, including in Barangay Miisi, Binaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Maninila, Masarawag, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matan-ag, and Basud will also ve evacuated.
OCD-Region 5 chief of operations Akim Berces said local disaster councils have been advised to strictly follow evacuation and health protocols under the community quarantine to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while carrying out evacuation efforts.
“Nagi-evacuate na po tayo as early as now, para po ma-practice natin yung minimum health standards na kailangan sa COVID-19,” Berces said.
Local disaster offices have also been advised to use other evacuation centers that are not being utilized as quarantine facilities for COVID-19 patients.
“Hindi nila gagamitin yung quarantine facilities for this evacuation para kay Ambo… nakahiwalay po talaga siya. ‘Yung sa COVID-19, sa COVID-19 lang, ‘yung sa evacuation center, doon po lang din,” Berces said.
As of posting time, heavy rains and strong winds brought about by ‘Ambo’ have begun lashing parts of Bicol and Samar.
As of 12:15 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that Typhoon Ambo has made landfall over San Policarpio, Eastern Samar.
PAGASA said ‘Ambo’ may bring heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Samar Provinces, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will be felt in Albay, Camarines Sur, and the rest of Eastern Visayas.
In its 11 a.m. update, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) no. 3 was raised over Sorsogon, Albay, and Ticao Island, Northern Samar, northern portions of Eastern Samar, and Samar. (note: Pagasa said this is still valid for broadcast until 2 pm)
TCWS no. 2 was raised over the southern part of Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Burias Island, mainland Masbate, and Marinduque; Biliran, the rest of Samar and Eastern Samar.
Meanwhile, TCWS no. 1 was hoisted over Aurora, southern portion of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, the rest of Quezon, Romblon, Bataan, and Pampanga; and the northern portion of Leyte. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Allan Manansala)
MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Butchoy maintains its strength while moving west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea.
As of 7:00 AM Friday (June 12), the center of TD Butchoy was estimated based on all available data at 50 km West of Iba, Zambales.
It is moving towards the west-northwest direction at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour, packed with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
The weather agency PAGASA has lifted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal #1 over Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and some municipalities in Pangasinan.
However, Wind Signal number 1 remains over Zambales and western portion of Pangasinan where Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains is expected throughout the day.
PAGASA advised residents in affected areas to prepare for possible flashfloods and landslides.
It advises residents to coordinate with local disaster authorities and constantly monitor PAGASA updates for precautionary actions.
Tropical Depression (TD) ‘Butchoy’ has made landfall over Polillio and Infanta, Quezon on Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, And Astronomical Services (PAGASA) said.
In its 8 p.m. severe weather bulletin, PAGASA said ‘Butchoy’ made landfall over Polillo at around 5:30 p.m., and Infanta at six in the evening.
Tropical cyclone wind signal number one remains hoisted over Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, and the southern portion of Aurora.
Signal number one has also been raised over Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Camarines Norte, and the northern and central portions of Quezon Province.
The state weather bureau said moderate to heavy, and at times, intense rains will be experienced in various areas of Luzon between Thursday night and Friday morning.
PAGASA warned that flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly susceptible to these hazards.
Tropical depression ‘Butchoy’ was last spotted in the vicinity of General Nakar, Quezon.
It is packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 75 kilometers per hour as it moves west-northwest at 15 kilometers per hour.
Tropical depression Butchoy is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday.
MANILA, Philippines – The low pressure area (LPA) east of Quezon Province has developed into tropical depression (TD) ‘Butchoy,’ according to the latest report of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of 4:00 pm on Thursday (June 11), PAGASA located the eye of TD Butchoy at 75 km Northwest of Daet, Camarines Norte.
It is moving West-Northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (km/h), packed with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.
Thus, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (CWS) No. 1 over the following areas:
Metro Manila
Rizal
Laguna
Cavite
Pangasinan
Zambales
Bataan
Tarlac
Pampanga
Nueva Ecija
Bulacan
The southern portion of Aurora
The northern and central portion of Quezon
Camarines Norte
Under TCWS #1, winds of 30-60 km/h may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours.
TD Butchoy is forecast to cross Polillo Islands and make landfall over northern Quezon-southern Aurora area between tonight and tomorrow morning Friday (June 12).
UNTV is a major TV broadcast network with 24-hour programming. An Ultra High Frequency station with strong brand content that appeal to everyone, UNTV is one of the most trusted and successful Philippine networks that guarantees wholesome and quality viewing experience.
