More areas in the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Ambo intensified into a severe tropical storm, the weather bureau said Wednesday.

In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Ambo was last spotted 315 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar and is moving west northwest at 10 kilometers per hour (kph).

Ambo has maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

TCWS No. 1 was raised over Sorsogon, Ticao Island, Catanduanes, and southern portion of Albay (Oas, Tabaco, Ligao City, Pio Duran, Guinobatan, Malilipot, Jovellar, Camalig, Santo Domingo, Bacacay, Rapu-rapu, Daraga, Legazpi and Manito), Northern Samar, northern portion of Samar (Calbayog, Sta. Margarita, Gandara, Matuguinao, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, San Jose De Buan, Tarangnan, Catbalogan City, Jiabong, Motiong, San Sebastian, Paranas and Hinabangan), and northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, Maslog, Oras, San Policarpio, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian and Borongan City).

TCWS No. 1 may also be raised over the southern portion of Camarines Sur and the rest of Albay on Wednesday night.

Ambo is forecast to further intensify as it approaches the Eastern Visayas-Bicol Region area.

Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the trough of Ambo.

Flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains are possible in Eastern Visayas.

Maintaining its speed and direction, Ambo is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday. (PNA)

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