First storm of 2020 bears down on Philippines as COVID19 rages
MANILA - The Philippines' first storm this year will bring rains over large swaths of the country Monday as it struggles to contain the coronavirus pandemic, the state weather bureau said.
Tropical depression Ambo was at 385 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur at 3 a.m., packing sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and 55 kph gusts, said PAGASA. The storm's trough or extension on Monday will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains that might spawn floods and landslides in Mindanao, said the weather agency.
Moving northwest at 10 kph, Ambo will reach Eastern Visayas by mid-week and hit land in Bicol Region on Thursday or Friday, said PAGASA weather forecaster Samuel Duran. The National Capital Region, home to about 12 million people, tallied Sunday a temperature of 35.6 degrees Celsius and a 43 °C heat index or actual temperature felt by the human body, said Duran. High temperatures and humidity build up storm clouds, he said.
Ambo bore down on the Philippines as it confirmed 10,794 cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday. Metro Manila and other high risk areas are under enhanced community quarantine until May 15 to arrest the spread of the respiratory disease.
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