Typhoon Aghon intensifies slightly: Signal No. 2 raised in 3 Luzon areas

Typhoon Aghon (international name: Ewiniar) slightly intensifies over the Philippine Sea, with Signal No. 2 still raised over three Luzon areas on Monday morning, May 27. | Satellite photo from Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Aghon (international name: Ewiniar) slightly intensified on Monday morning as it moved over the Philippine Sea and away from the country.

According to the latest advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Aghon was last located 105 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora.

READ: Aghon, now a typhoon, is over coastal waters of Burdeos, Quezon

Tropical storm Aghon keeps strength; Slowly moving over Mauban, Quezon

It is currently moving north northeastward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph), carrying maximum sustained winds of 140 kph and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

“Mananatili po itong typhoon category hanggang paglabas ng (it is expected to remain in typhoon category until it exits the) Philippine area of responsibility (PAR),” said Pagasa weather specialist Rhea Torres.

With its strength further increasing, tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2 (gale force winds with minor to moderate threat to life and property) remains hoisted in the following areas:

Luzon

• Southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, Palanan),
• Northern portion of Aurora (Baler, Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Dilasag, Casiguran)
• Polillo Islands
  Signal no. 1 (minimal to minor threat), on the other hand, is raised in the following:

Luzon

• 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)
• Eastern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Nagtipunan, Aglipay)
  Eastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castaneda, Dupax del Sur, Dupax del Norte),
• 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
• Northeastern portion of Laguna (Pakil, Mabitac, Pangil, Famy, Siniloan, Santa Maria, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban),
  Northern and central portions of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Mauban, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Calauag, Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Lopez, Atimonan, Gumaca, Plaridel)
  Western portion of Camarines Norte (Santa Elena, Vinzons, Labo, Capalonga, Paracale, Talisay, Jose Panganiban, San Vicente, Daet) including Calaguas Islands
  Rainfall

With the effects of Aghon, 50 to 100 millimeters of heavy rainfall is forecast over the eastern portion of Isabela and the northern portion of Aurora.

Torres warned that these rains may cause flooding, landslides and overflow in rivers especially in areas susceptible to such hazards.

Meanwhile, gale warning is also raised over the coasts of Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, and Quezon including Polillo Islands — with wave height expected to range between 2.8 to 4.5 meters.