A LOW pressure area east of Mindanao developed into a tropical depression on Sunday afternoon and was named “Ambo,” the first weather disturbance to enter the country this year.
Weather specialist Ariel Roxas said Ambo is projected to bring rains in the Caraga, Davao, and Soccsksargen regions. He advised residents in these regions to prepare not only for the rains but also for possible landslides.
In a weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Ambo was some 545 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 4 p.m. Sunday.
It was moving west northwest at 15 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
Roxas said Ambo will be near the Bicol and Eastern Visayas areas by Wednesday or Thursday.
The last weather disturbance to hit the country was typhoon “Ursula,” in December last year. It left 57 people dead and some 400 others injured in the Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas regions.
