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MANILA, Philippines (First published 8:15 a.m.) — Typhoon Francisco (international name Mekkhala) rapidly intensified while moving west-northwest over the Philippine Sea on Monday morning, June 22, keeping Batanes and parts of Cagayan under Signal No. 1.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said the center of the eye of Francisco was estimated at 620 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan as of 10 a.m.
The typhoon was moving west-northwest at 15 kilometers per hour. Strong to typhoon-force winds extend up to 420 kilometers from its center.
Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Batanes, the northeastern portion of Cagayan, specifically Gonzaga and Santa Ana, and the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands, including Babuyan, Didicas and Camiguin islands.
Areas under Signal No. 1 may experience strong winds of 39 to 61 kph within 36 hours, with minimal to minor threat to life and property.
PAGASA said local winds may be slightly stronger in coastal and upland or mountainous areas exposed to winds, while winds may be weaker in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction.
Monsoon gusts
PAGASA said the southwest monsoon—locally known as habagat—and the periphery of Francisco will bring strong to gale-force gusts over several areas, especially in coastal and upland communities exposed to winds.
On Monday, these gusts may affect La Union, Pangasinan, Calabarzon, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, most of the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
By Tuesday, June 23, strong to gale-force gusts may affect most of Luzon, the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
By Wednesday, June 24, these conditions may be felt in most of Luzon, the Visayas, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
Coastal warning. PAGASA also warned of rough seas over parts of the northern and eastern seaboards in the next 24 hours.
Waves may reach up to 3.5 meters along the eastern seaboards of the Babuyan Islands and mainland Cagayan, and up to 3 meters along the eastern seaboards of Batanes, Isabela and northern Aurora.
The weather bureau advised mariners of small seacraft, including all types of motorbancas, not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.
Moderate seas of up to 2.5 meters may also affect the remaining seaboards of Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan and Aurora; the northern and eastern seaboards of the Polillo Islands and Catanduanes; the northern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur; and the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental.
Moderate seas of up to 2 meters may affect the seaboard of northern Quezon; the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte; the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Samar; the eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Sur; the eastern and southern seaboards of Davao Occidental; and the southern seaboard of Davao Oriental.
Mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels were advised to take precautions and, if possible, avoid sailing under these conditions.
