The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical depression “Aghon” could intensify into a tropical storm before making landfall over Eastern Samar or Dinagat Islands on Saturday morning, May 25.

In a press briefing on Friday afternoon, May 24, PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said Aghon is expected to intensify into a tropical storm in 12 hours.

As of 4 p.m., the tropical depression has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph.

Its center was located 135 kilometers (km) northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur or 185 km east-southeast of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, moving west-northwest at 30 kilometers per hour (kph).

Estareja said the center of Aghon will cross Eastern Samar or Dinagat Islands on Saturday morning, before moving over Samar Island or Northern Samar on Saturday afternoon.

By Saturday evening, he said, the center of Aghon will emerge off the coast of southern Bicol Region, with another landfall possible over Sorsogon, Albay, or Catanduanes.

Estareja noted that by Sunday afternoon or evening, May 26, Aghon will emerge off the coast of Quezon province, where it is expected to begin to “recurve” or veer away from the country.

The current forecast scenario shows an intensification into a severe tropical storm by Sunday and into a typhoon by Monday, May 27.

Signal No. 1

In the PAGASA’s tropical cyclone bulletin issued at 5 p.m., Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands, Quezon province, Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Cebu, including Camotes Islands, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, and Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands.

As Aghon approaches the country, it is expected that more areas in Central Visayas, as well as Quezon province, will be placed under Signal No. 1 in the next bulletin at 8 p.m.

PAGASA said the highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted during the passage of Aghon is Signal No. 2.

Rainfall forecast

PAGASA warned that Aghon could bring moderate to heavy rains (100 to 200 millimeters) to Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Visayas, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon.

Light to moderate rains, with occasional heavy rains, (50 to 100 millimeters) are also expected in the southern portion of Quezon, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Western Visayas, Surigao del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte.

From Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, moderate to heavy rains may continue in Bicol Region and Northern Samar, while light to moderate to, at times, heavy rains may persist in the rest of Eastern Visayas and the southern portion of Quezon province, including Polillo Islands.

From Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and the southern portion of Quezon, including Polillo Islands, may experience light to moderate rains, with occasional heavy rains.

PAGASA said Aghon may also cause moderate to rough seas along the northern and eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas, as well as the eastern seaboard of Caraga Region.

Mariners of motor bancas and similar-sized vessels are advised to exercise caution when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions, particularly if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.

Estareja said Aghon may leave the country’s area of responsibility on Tuesday, May 28.