MORE areas in Luzon are placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Depression Aghon continues to maintain its strength as it moves northwestward over the Samar Sea.
Based on the 5 a.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the center of the eye of Aghon was last seen over the coastal waters of Catbalogan City, Samar, moving northwestward at 30 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Aghon is forecast to cross the Bicol Peninsula by Saturday afternoon and emerge over the waters north of the Camarines provinces by Sunday morning, during which, it may reach tropical storm category.
TCWS No. 1 is hoisted in the following areas:
Luzon
The northern portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dilasag), Polillo Islands
The southern portion of Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Buenavista, Catanauan, Mulanay, San Narciso, San Francisco, San Andres, Tagkawayan, Gumaca, Quezon, Alabat, Perez, Plaridel, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Atimonan, Unisan)
The eastern portion of Romblon (Cajidiocan, Magdiwang, San Fernando)
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Catanduanes
Albay
Sorsogon
Masbate, including Burias and Ticao Islands
Visayas
Northern Samar
Samar
Eastern Samar
Biliran
Leyte
Southern Leyte
The extreme northern portion of Cebu (San Remigio, Tabogon, City of Bogo, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Borbon), including Camotes and Bantayan Islands
Mindanao
Dinagat Islands
PAGASA said Aghon will bring rains with gusty winds over the Bicol Region, Quezon, and Eastern Visayas.
Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Mindanao, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Calabarzon, and the rest of the Visayas will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the trough of Aghon.
The ilocos Region, the Cordilleras, and Batanes will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.
Aghon will bring moderate to rough seas over the coastal waters along the seaboards of the Bicol Region, the southern seaboard of Quezon, the eastern seaboard of Eastern Visayas, the western seaboard of Samar and Northern Samar, and the eastern seaboard of Caraga Region.
Mariners of motor bancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels. (PNA)
