The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in the Philippines reports that 54 people have been injured and over 80,000 affected after Tropical Cyclone Vongfong (named Ambo in the Philippines) swept over the country.
Tropical Cyclone Vongfong (named Ambo in the Philippines) made its first landfall in San Policarpo, Eastern Samar Province, Eastern Visayas region, Philippines, on 14 May, with sustained winds of 155 km/h and gusts of 255 km/h.
NDRRMC said a total of 25,474 families or 82,563 people were affected in 59 cities and municipalities in eight provinces in the regions of Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas, and Cordillera. Over 71,000 people were pre-emptively evacuated. The storm caused damage to buildings, roads, bridges and agriculture. Power and communications lines were also damaged.
Much of the damage was caused by strong winds. However, Vongfong also brought heavy rainfall. Infanta in Quezon Province, Calabarzon Region, recorded 287.7mm of rain in 24 hours to 16 May. Some flooding was reported in the cities of Mandaluyong and Malabon, both in National Capital Region, on 15 May but soon subsided.
Vongfong weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) while moving northeastward over the Bashi Channel, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said 17 May. Vongfong was forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) during the afternoon of 18 May.
