PAGASA: No major rain threat due to ‘Aghon’ as it moves away

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Aghon (international name: Ewiniar) is unlikely to directly bring significant rainfall in the coming days as it continues to move away from the Philippines, PAGASA said on Monday. 

The state weather bureau reported that Aghon was last spotted 100 kilometers east southeast of Casiguran in Aurora, with peak winds of 140 km per hour near the center and gusts of up to 170 kph. 

It was heading northeastward over the Philippine Sea at 10 kph. 

Winds signals remained hoisted over the following areas:

Residents of areas under Signal No. 2 could experience minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds

Residents of areas under Signal No. 1 could experience minimal to minor impacts from strong winds.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Monday reported that seven people in Bicol region were injured by trees toppled by Aghon. Meanwhile, almost 20,000 individuals were affected by the country’s first cyclone this year. 

PAGASA said that Aghon “is less likely to directly bring significant amounts of rainfall within the next three days.”

However, the cyclone enhances the southwesterly wind flow, which will bring moderate to heavy rains over Western Visayas and parts of MIMAROPA in the next two days. 

Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts, including all motor bancas, over the coastal waters of southern Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora and the northern coastal waters of Quezon province, including Polillo Islands, due to Aghon.

It will also cause moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3 meters) over the eastern coastal waters of Cagayan and the northern coastal waters of Bicol region. 

The weather agency said that Aghon will continue to intensify over the next two days as it moves northeastward over the Philippine Sea. 

It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday afternoon or evening as a typhoon.

 — Gaea Katreena Cabico