Parts of Luzon under Signal No. 2 due to Typhoon Aghon

MANILA, Philippines — Parts of eastern Luzon were placed under Wind Signal No. 2 as Typhoon Aghon (international name: Ewiniar) continued to move away from the Philippine landmass, PAGASA said Monday morning. 

The country’s first cyclone this year was last spotted over the coastal waters of Casiguran in Aurora, packing peak winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 170 kph. 

It was moving north northwest toward the Philippine Sea at 10 kph. 

The state weather bureau raised wind signals 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 Managament Council on Sunday reported that four people were injured due to a fallen tree. Meanwhile, over 2,700 people were affected by the cyclone. 

PAGASA said that Aghon could bring rain between 50 and 100 millimeters over the eastern portion of Isabela and the northern portion of Aurora today. 

It warned that more rain is expected in mountainous areas. This could lead to flooding and landslides, especially in high-risk areas on hazard maps or places with recent heavy rain.

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.

The typhoon will also bring 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 (PAR) on Wednesday afternoon or evening as a typhoon.

— Gaea Katreena Cabico