Aghon intensifies slightly, makes landfall over Patnanungan Island

Severe Tropical Storm Aghon made landfall over Patnanungan Island in Quezon as it slightly intensified on Sunday evening, according to PAGASA.

In its 8 p.m. bulletin, state meteorologists said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 was raised over the Polillo Islands.

Moderate to significant impacts from storm-force winds were possible within the area where Signal 3 was hoisted. Furthermore, heavy rainfall of over 200 mm was expected over Quezon.

Meanwhile, TCWS Signal No. 2 was hoisted over:

• Aurora,
• the northern and central portions of Quezon,
• Laguna,
• the eastern portion of Batangas,
• the eastern and central portions of Rizal, and
• the northern portion of Camarines Norte.

The following areas are under TCWS No. 1:

• the eastern portion of Isabela
• the eastern portion of Quirino
• the southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya
• the eastern portion of Nueva Ecija
• the eastern portion of Pampanga
• Bulacan
• Metro Manila
• the rest of Rizal
• Cavite
• the rest of Batangas
• the rest of Quezon
• the northeastern portion of Oriental Mindoro
• Marinduque, the rest of Camarines Norte
• the northern portion of Camarines Sur

Areas under TCWS No. 1 can expect strong winds with speeds ranging from 39 to 61 km/h in 36 hours, posing a minimal to minor threat to life and property.

PAGASA said Aghon was moving northwestward and had maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 150 km/h, and central pressure of 990 hPa.

Coastal Waters

Within the next 24 hours, there is a minimal to moderate risk of a storm surge over the exposed and low-lying coastal areas of Cagayan, Isabela, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Burias Island, PAGASA said.

A gale warning was also raised over the coastal waters of Aurora, Quezon, and Marinduque, the southern coastal waters of Batangas, and the northern coastal waters of Camarines Norte.

Sea travel is thus risky for small seacrafts, including all motorbancas of any type of tonnage in these areas.

Aghon will also bring moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.5 m) along the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the seaboard of the Bicol Region.

Track, intensity

Aghon will continue to move northeastward towards the Philippine Sea and could intensify into a typhoon over the next 12 hours.

From Monday through the remainder of the forecast period, Aghon will also gradually accelerate northeastward while intensifying.

It is forecast to reach the typhoon category by Tuesday afternoon, and may eventually exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday. — DVM, GMA Integrated News