Signal No. 1 up over 17 areas as Aghon moves over Samar Sea

Weather bureau PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over 17 areas on Saturday morning as Tropical Depression Aghon continues to move northwestward and over the Samar Sea.

TCWS No. 1 was hoisted over the following areas as of 8 a.m. Saturday:

1. Aurora;
2. Polillo Islands;
3. the northern and southeastern portion of Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Buenavista, Catanauan, Mulanay, San Narciso, San Francisco, San Andres, Tagkawayan, Gumaca, Quezon, Alabat, Perez, Plaridel, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Atimonan, Unisan, Mauban, Real, Infanta, General Nakar, Padre Burgos, Agdangan);
4. the eastern portion of Romblon (Cajidiocan, Magdiwang, San Fernando, Romblon);
5. the eastern portion of Marinduque (Santa Cruz, Torrijos);
6. Camarines Norte;
7. Camarines Sur;
8. Catanduanes;
9. Albay;
10. Sorsogon;
11. Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands;
12. Northern Samar;
13. Samar;
14. Eastern Samar;
15. Biliran;
16. the northern portion of Leyte (Tunga, Pastrana, San Miguel, Matag-Ob, Tolosa, Palo, Calubian, Leyte, Mayorga, Julita, Carigara, Babatngon, Dagami, Jaro, San Isidro, Santa Fe, Albuera, Villaba, La Paz, Palompon, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Merida, Ormoc City, Isabel, Dulag, Capoocan, Alangalang, Burauen, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, Barugo); and
17. the extreme northern portion of Cebu (San Remigio, Tabogon, City of Bogo, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Borbon) including Camotes and Bantayan Islands

The above-mentioned areas will have strong winds with speeds of 39 to 61 km/h in 36 hours, with minimal to minor threat to life and property, PAGASA said.

At 7 a.m., the center of Aghon was estimated to be located over the coastal waters of Calbayog City, Samar.

It has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 85 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa.

Aghon is moving northwestward at 30 km/h, with strong winds extending outwards up to 140 km from its center.

Rainfall

PAGASA said the Bicol Region, Northern Samar, and the northern portion of Samar may have 100-200 mm of rain on Saturday.

The southern portion of Quezon, Polillo Islands, Marinduque, the eastern portion of Romblon, the rest of Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, and the northern portions of Western Visayas, Leyte, and Cebu meanwhile may expect 50-100 mm of rain today.

On Sunday, 100 to 200 mm of rain may be experienced in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.

An estimated 50 to 100 mm of rain meanwhile may be expected over Quezon, Aurora, and the rest of Bicol Region.

"Forecast rainfall are generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas. Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days," PAGASA said.

Coastal waters

PAGASA said coastal waters along the seaboards of Bicol Region, the southern seaboard of Quezon, the eastern seaboard of Eastern Visayas, the western seaboard of Samar and Northern Samar, and the eastern seaboard of Caraga Region will be moderate to rough.

"Mariners of motor bancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels," it said.

Track, intensity outlook

Between Saturday afternoon and Sunday early morning, Aghon is expected to move generally northwestward over the Samar Sea and cross the Bicol Peninsula.

From there it is forecast to emerge over Lamon Bay or the waters north of Camarines Provinces by Sunday early morning.

Aghon may possibly have another landfall in the vicinity of Polillo Islands on Sunday morning. It already made landfalls over Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 11:20 p.m. on Friday, and Giporlos, Eastern Samar at 12:40 a.m. on Saturday.

"During this period, AGHON may reach tropical storm category," PAGASA said.

On Sunday afternoon, Aghon will start its recurvature toward the northeast.

"As it moves over the Philippine Sea, the tropical cyclone is forecast to continuously intensify and may reach typhoon category on Tuesday. On the track forecast, AGHON may exit the PAR region no earlier than Tuesday," PAGASA said.

The public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned were advised to take the necessary precautions.

The weather bureau said it will issue the next bulletin about Aghon at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Effects

Aghon brought rains over several areas overnight in Eastern Samar and authorities reported some passengers were stranded and power went out in some places.

Around 600 individuals and some rolling cargoes were stranded in ports in Eastern Visayas.

Sea travel going into Region 8 was stopped on Friday night.

Some municipalities in Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, and Western Samar have already implemented preventive evacuation of residents in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas

Meanwhile, the centermost area of Eastern Samar experienced power outage.

Some flights for Saturday, May 25, were canceled due to bad weather, the Manila Intern ational Airport Authority said. —KG, GMA Integrated News