AFTER months of being roasted in extreme heat due to the El Nino phenomenon, the country’s first storm for this year in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with four areas have been placed under tropical cyclone wind signal number 1.

State weather forecasters said the low pressure area east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur developed into tropical depression Aghon as of 2 a.m.

As of their latest bulletin at 4 a.m., the center of Tropical Depression Aghon was estimated at 340 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. 

It is moving west northwest at 30 kph, packing 45 kph winds near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph.

PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 1 in Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Siargao Islands and Bucas Grande Islands.

They said that 50-100mm of accumulated rainfall is forecast in Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, the northern part of Surigao del Sur, the eastern portion of Southern Leyte, and the southern portion of Eastern Samar.

The rains may increase to 100-200mm of accumulated rainfall in Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay and Sorsogon on Saturday. Dinagat Islands and the rest of Bicol and Eastern Visayas will experience 50-100mm of rainfall on Saturday.