Tropical depression Aghon made landfall over Giporlos, Eastern Samar early Saturday morning, May 25, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its tropical cyclone bulletin issued at 2 a.m.
In the next few hours, Aghon is expected to traverse Samar Island and emerge over the Samar Sea-San Bernardino Strait area.
It will then continue northwestward, crossing the Bicol Peninsula between Saturday afternoon and Sunday early morning, May 26.
By Sunday, Aghon is expected to emerge over the waters north of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
During this time, Aghon may intensify into a tropical storm.
It will also start its “recurvature” to the northeast, or away from the country.
As it moves over the Philippine Sea, the tropical cyclone is expected to intensify and become a typhoon by Tuesday, May 28.
PAGASA said Aghon may leave the country’s area of responsibility “no earlier than Tuesday.”
Signal No. 1
As of 2 a.m., Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Polillo Islands, the southeastern portion of Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, the extreme northern portion of Cebu including Camotes and Bantayan Islands, the northeastern portion of Bohol, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, the northern portion of Surigao del Sur, and the northern portion of Agusan del Norte.
Aghon has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph.
Other areas in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) will be placed under Signal No. 1 in the next bulletin at 5 a.m. as Aghon continues to traverse parts of the eastern section of the country Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region.
PAGASA said the highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted during Aghon’s passage is Signal No. 2.