Francisco exits PAR; Gardo intensifies into severe tropical storm

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Francisco (international name: “Mekkhala”) has exited Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday evening, said the state weather bureau, According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in its 11 p.m. typhoon bulletin, Francisco was last located 705 kilometers (km) northeast of Itbayat, Batanes outside PAR.