Tropical storm outside PAR slightly intensifies on Saturday morning

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical storm Mekkhala (international name) intensified slightly as it approached the eastern part of Southeastern Luzon but was still outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Saturday morning, the state weather bureau said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Mekkhala was last seen 1,590 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon.

READ: Cyclone outside PAR now tropical storm; rains seen in parts of PH

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It gained more strength as it was carrying a maximum wind speed of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 105 kph. It was moving in a westward direction at 20 kph.

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Pagasa also maintained its forecast that the tropical storm will enter the PAR by Saturday evening or Sunday morning, and it will be named Francisco once inside the country. Pagasa added that the tropical storm will continue to intensify and may develop into a typhoon by Sunday.

The bureau shared that Mekkhala will start affecting the weather conditions of Extreme Northern Luzon on Tuesday while moderate to rough sea conditions will prevail over the northern and eastern coastal waters of Northern Luzon on Tuesday.

It added that the hoisting of Wind Signal No. 1 over eastern sections of Northern Luzon is not being ruled out “due to its possible close proximity to land on Tuesday (23 June) and Wednesday (24 June) and the possible changes in the track forecast in the succeeding bulletins.” /mr

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