Aghon intensifies, makes 8 landfalls

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Aghon is expected to intensify into a typhoon before it leaves the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by midweek after having made eight landfalls since Friday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Aghon (international name Ewiniar) had intensified into a severe tropical storm.

Based on the latest track of PAGASA, Aghon is expected to develop into a typhoon when it reaches the coastal waters of Casiguran, Aurora and before it exits PAR on Wednesday, PAGASA senior weather specialist Benison Estareja said at a press conference.

“By Tuesday morning, it is expected to be 415 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan and then to move northeastward, and by Wednesday morning, it will already be 1,000 kilometers east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon,” he said.

Estareja added that by noon of May 29, Aghon is expected to be outside PAR.

He said that Aghon slightly intensified over Sariaya,
 Quezon with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 125 km/h, as it is moving northwestward at 10 km/h.

The first landfall of Aghon was at 11:20 p.m. on May 24 in Homonhon Island, Eastern Samar; followed by Giporlos, Eastern Samar at 12:40 a.m. on May 25; Basiao Island in Catbalogan, Samar at 4 a.m.; Cagduyong Island, Catbalogan at 5 a.m.; Batuan, Masbate at 10:20 a.m.; Masbate City at 10:45 a.m.; Torrijos, Marinduque at 10 p.m. and Lucena City, Quezon at 4 a.m. on May 26.

Based on the latest bulletin issued at 5 p.m. yesterday, tropical cyclone wind signal No. 3 was hoisted in the eastern section of Quezon including Polillo Islands.

Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 2 was raised in Aurora, the northern and central portions of Quezon, Laguna, eastern portion of Batangas, eastern and central portions of Rizal, and northern portion of Camarines Norte.

Meanwhile, tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 was hoisted in the eastern portion of Isabela, eastern portion of Quirino, southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, eastern and southern portions of Nueva Ecija, southern portion of Bataan, eastern portion of Pampanga,