Typhoon Francisco (international name Mekkhala) is forecast to reach the super typhoon category, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Monday.
“Francisco” further intensified, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 215 kph.
It was last located 625 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, moving west northwestward at 20 kph.
Signal No. 1 was hoisted in Batanes, northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana) including the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, Camiguin Island).
Pagasa said the highest wind signal that will likely be hoisted throughout the cyclone' passage is Signal No. 2
The periphery of “Francisco” and the southwest monsoon have been causing strong to gale-force gusts in most of Luzon and the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
Pagasa added that rough seas could prevail over the seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands and mainland Cagayan, and the eastern seaboards of Isabela and northern Aurora.
Mariners of small seacraft, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture to the sea.
Meanwhile, Pagasa said “Francisco” is forecast to weaken starting Wednesday.
