Signal No. 2 up over 2 areas due to Aghon —PAGASA

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remained hoisted over two areas as Typhoon Aghon moved to the coastal waters of Casiguran, Aurora, on Monday morning, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, PAGSA said the following areas are under Signal No. 2:

• the southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, Palanan)
• the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)

Meanwhile, the following areas are under Signal No. 1:

• 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 southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castaneda)
• the rest of Aurora
• the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, Real) including Polillo Islands
• the northwestern portion of Camarines Norte (Paracale, Jose Panganiban, Vinzons, Capalonga) including Calaguas Islands

Aghon was located over the coastal waters of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 km/h, PAGASA said. The cyclone was moving north northeastward at 10 km/h, it added.

Accumulated rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters are expected over the eastern portion of Isabela and the northern portion of Aurora on Monday, PAGASA said, adding 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.

Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are expected within areas under Signal No. 2, PAGASA said. Meanwhile, minimal to minor impacts from strong winds within Signal No. 1 areas.

“Local winds may be slightly stronger/enhanced in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds. Winds are less strong in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction,” the state weather bureau said.

Gale warning

Due to Aghon, a gale warning is raised over the coastal waters of Cagayan (southern portion), Isabela, Aurora, and the northern coastal waters of Quezon including Polillo Islands. 

“Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts, including all motorbancas of any type of tonnage,” PAGASA warned.

Outside the gale warning areas, moderate to rough seas of up to 3.0 meters may be experienced 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.

Aghon may move generally northeastward over the Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday afternoon or evening as a typhoon, according to PAGASA.

The typhoon is expected to further intensify over the next two days as it moves northeastward over the Philippine Sea. 

“A weakening trend may begin on mid or late Wednesday as the typhoon begins interacting with the mid-latitude environment and undergo post-tropical transition,” PAGASA said.

The first tropical cyclone to hit the country in 2024, Aghon has prompted several local government units to suspend classes for the day. It also caused flooding in the Calabarzon Region on Sunday, obstructing motorists and stranding commuters in several provinces.

As of Sunday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said four persons were injured in the Bicol region due to Aghon.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government has distributed more than P1.2 million worth of humanitarian assistance to residents affected by Typhoon Aghon.

On X (formerly Twitter), Marcos said that the government has also prepared more than P3 billion in standby funds and prepositioned goods and stockpiles to ensure a wider and faster relief given to those affected.  —KBK, GMA Integrated News