Over 20 areas under storm signals

‘Aghon’ seen becoming a typhoon today

“AGHON” yesterday intensified into a severe tropical storm after making its eighth landfall in Lucena City in Quezon, part of which was placed under Signal 3.

Aghon, the country’s first tropical cyclone for this year, initially intensified into a tropical storm, from tropical a depression, yesterday morning while moving at Tayabas Bay in Quezon, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA said Aghon may reach the typhoon category this afternoon and may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday.

Aghon made landfall in Lucena City at 4:30 a.m., its eighth since Friday night.

Aghon’s first landfall was in Homonhon Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, then in Giporlon, Eastern Samar; Basiao and Caduyong islands, both in Catbalogan, Samar; Batuan town and Masbate City in Masbate; and Torrijos, Masbate.

Aghon became a tropical depression — from low pressure area — on Friday morning. It further intensified into a severe tropical storm, yesterday afternoon,

As of 7 p.m. yesterday, Aghon was in the vicinity of Patnanungan in Quezon, PAGASA said in its 8 p.m. bulletin. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It was moving northeastward slowly, recurving from the northwestward track it has been taking over the past days.

STORM SIGNALS

As of 8 p.m. yesterday, Polillo Island in Quezon was under Signal No. 3. PAGASA said there is “moderate to significant threat to life and property” due to winds.

Six areas were under Signal No. 2 — Aurora, northern and central portions of Quezon, Laguna, eastern portion of Batangas, eastern portion of Rizal, and northern portion of Camarines Norte

Under Signal No. 2, there is minor to moderate threat to life and property due to winds, PAGASA said.

Metro Manila and 14 other areas were under Signal No.1. The 14 others are eastern portion of Isabela, eastern portion of Quirino, eastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, eastern portion of Nueva Ecija, eastern portion of Pampanga, southeastern portion of Bataan, Bulacan, rest of Rizal, Cavite, rest of Batangas, rest of Quezon, northeastern