2 areas remain under Signal No. 2 as Aghon maintains strength

Two areas remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 as Typhoon Aghon maintained its strength while moving over Philippine Sea off Aurora province, PAGASA said Monday.

In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA said the following areas are under TCWS No. 2:

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

TCWS No. 1, meanwhile, is hoisted over the following areas:

• the northeastern and southern portions 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, 
• and the northwestern portion of Camarines Norte (Paracale, Jose Panganiban, Vinzons, Capalonga) including Calaguas Islands

As of 10 a.m., the center of the eye of Aghon was estimated at 100 km east southeast of Casiguran, Aurora packing maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 170 km/h, and central pressure of 965 hPa, PAGASA said.

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

The typhoon may also continue to 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 is expected to move generally northeastward over the Philippine Sea for the entirety of the forecast period and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday afternoon or evening as a typhoon.

The cyclone 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 Monday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said seven persons were injured due to Aghon's onslaught.

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. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News