Signal No. 2 up over parts of Isabela, Aurora, Polillo due to Aghon

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was raised over parts of Isabela, Aurora and Polillo Islands as Typhoon Aghon intensifies over the Philippine Sea east of Aurora on Monday, PAGASA said.

TCWS No. 2 is in effect as of 5 a.m. over:

• the southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, Palanan);
• the northern portion of Aurora (Baler, Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Dilasag, Casiguran); and
• Polillo Islands.

These areas will have gale-force winds with speeds ranging from 62 to 88 km/h in 24 hours, posing minor to moderate threat to life and property.

TCWS No. 1 meanwhile was hoisted over:

• the northeastern and southern portion of Isabela (Divilacan, San Mariano, San Guillermo, Jones, Echague, San Agustin, Ilagan City, Benito Soliven, City of Cauayan, Maconacon, Angadanan, Naguilian);
• the eastern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Nagtipunan, Aglipay);
• the eastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castaneda, Dupax del Sur, Dupax del Norte);
• the rest of Aurora;
• eastern portion of Nueva Ecija (General Tinio, Gabaldon, Bongabon, Pantabangan, Rizal, General Mamerto Natividad, Laur, Palayan City, Peñaranda, San Leonardo, City of Gapan, Cabanatuan City, Santa Rosa, Llanera);
• the eastern portion of Bulacan (San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray);
• Rizal;
• the northeastern portion of Laguna (Pakil, Mabitac, Pangil, Famy, Siniloan, Santa Maria, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban);
• the northern and central portions of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Mauban, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Calauag, Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Lopez, Atimonan, Gumaca, Plaridel); and
• the western portion of Camarines Norte (Santa Elena, Vinzons, Labo, Capalonga, Paracale, Talisay, Jose Panganiban, San Vicente, Daet) including Calaguas Islands

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

The center of the eye of Aghon was last estimated to be at 105 km east of Baler, Aurora, PAGASA said.

Aghon has maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 170 km/h, and central pressure of 965 hPa.

The typhoon is moving north northwestward at 10 km/h.

From its center, strong to typhoon-force winds extend outwards.

Rainfall

The eastern portion of Isabela and the northern portion of Aurora will have 50 to 100 mm of rainfall on Monday, PAGASA said.

"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," it added.

Storm surge

PAGASA said there is a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge over the exposed and low-lying coastal areas of Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and Polillo Islands within the next 24 hours.

Coastal waters

The weather bureau issued a gale warning over the coastal waters of Cagayan (southern portion), Isabela, Aurora, and the northern coastal waters of Quezon including Polillo Islands due to Aghon.

"Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts, including all motorbancas of any type of tonnage," PAGASA said.

Coastal waters will be moderate to rough over the eastern coastal waters of Cagayan and the northern coastal waters of Bicol Region.

"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," PAGASA said.

Track, intensity outlook

Aghon is forecast to move generally northeastward over the Philippine Sea, then exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday afternoon or evening.

The public and public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned were advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property.

PAGASA will issue the next bulletin about Aghon at 8 a.m.

Effects

Classes on Monday, May 27, in several areas were canceled due to the bad weather caused by Aghon.

Aghon caused flooding in Calabarzon.

More than 7,000 passengers were stranded in ports, the Philippine Ports Authority said.

Some areas also lost power, but the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines on Sunday said it has already started restoration activities, with its crews monitoring and assessing its operations and facilities. —KG, GMA Integrated News