TD ‘Aghon,’ year’s first cyclone, intensifies

LEGAZPI CITY—Tropical Depression (TD) “Aghon” intensified on Friday and threatened 1,128 villages in 52 towns and cities in the country’s eastern seaboard. Based on its latest advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Aghon was last spotted 135 kilometers east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, but Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 1 was already hoisted in 18 areas on Friday afternoon. Gaining both speed and strength, Aghon was moving west-northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour (kph), with maximum sustained winds now at 55 kph and gustiness of up to 70 kph. Pagasa said Aghon is forecast to move generally west-northwestward from Friday until Saturday while slowly intensifying. It expected to make landfall in the Eastern Visayas Saturday morning. Pagasa said Aghon could strengthen into a severe tropical storm by Sunday morning, then into a typhoon by Monday. It is expected to follow of the usual track of typhoons and recurve northeastward as it passes Luzon’s easy coast “while starting to continuously intensify.” Aghon may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday, May 28. —ZACARIAN SARAO