ILOILO City – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) – Iloilo has warned the public, particularly fisherfolk, on the light to moderate rains, at a time heavy rains, due to the Tropical Depression (TD) “Aghon.”
Engr. Ferdinand Rubin Jr., PAGASA-Iloilo weather specialist 1, said beginning Friday, may 24, until Saturday, May 25, Iloilo in particular would experience light to moderate rain and at a times heavy rains because of the scope of the outer rainband of Aghon.
“May bagyo nga malapad ang rainband kag may bagyo nga gamay rainband. Kung may satellite image kita makita naton nga as in malapad, bilog nga Western Visayas ang igu subong, Pero from time to time may ulan kita, indi man nga whole day but from time to time lang. I-expect naton nga generally bilog nga adlaw magal-um kita,” Rubin told Panay News.
As of 7 p.m. on Friday, the center of Aghon was estimated based on all available data at 145 kilometers (km) east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, moving northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph).
It has a maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Based on its track forecast, PAGASA said Aghon may make landfall over the southern portion of Eastern Samar or Dinagat Islands by Saturday morning, May 25, as a tropical storm.
After that, Aghon will pass north northwestward through the coast of Northern Samar, then may possibly make another landfall over the southeastern portion of Bicol Region (Sorsogon, Albay, or Catanduanes) by Saturday evening as a tropical storm.
“Bwas ukon Sabado nga adlaw gina-expect nga mag-landfall ang typhoon pero bisan bwas pa, ang ulan nagalab-ot gid sa aton,” said Rubin.
However, he said there is a slim change that Aghon could pass by the region.
“Wala, nubo ang tsansa nga mag-agi ni sia since nga malayo sia, ginatan-aw naton nga indi man sia gawa maka-agi diri. So gina-expect naton nga nubo man ang tsansa nga maka-signal number kita diri,” he said.
As of 8 p.m. on Friday, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in the following areas:
Luzon
Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Buenavista, Catanauan, Mulanay, San Narciso, San Francisco, San Andres, Tagkawayan), Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Masbate including Ticao Island, and Burias Island
Visayas
Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Cebu (San Remigio, Tabogon, City of Bogo, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Borbon) including Camotes Islands, Bantayan Islands, and Bohol (Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bien Unido, Trinidad, Anda, Candijay, Ubay, Mabini, Alicia, San Miguel, Talibon)
Mindanao
Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur (Sibagat, City of Bayugan, Prosperidad, San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Trento), and Agusan del Norte
PAGASA said the highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted during the passage of Aghon is Signal No. 2.
Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property.
Also, persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.
For heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm/rainfall advisories, and other severe weather information specific to your area, PAGASA advised the public tomonitor products issued by PAGASA Regional Services Division.
“Maghalong ukon mag-andam kag padayun mga mag-alerto kag magdala sang payong kay pabaylo-baylo ang aton tiempo subong tungod sang bagyo,” added Rubin.
Current forecast scenario shows intensification into a severe tropical storm by Sunday and into a typhoon by Tuesday./PN
