Typhoon Francisco weakens further, but rains expected across Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) continued to weaken as it maintained a northward track as of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the state weather bureau.

In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the center of Francisco was last located 295 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Basco, Batanes.

The typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (km/h) and is moving northward at 10 km/h.

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READ: Rainy Wednesday in parts of Luzon, Visayas as typhoon moves away

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Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan, including Gonzaga, Sta. Ana, and the Babuyan Islands.

Batanes and Cagayan may experience 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall until Thursday due to Typhoon Francisco, which may trigger localized flooding and landslides.

Similar rainfall amounts are also expected over Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, and Antique, the state weather bureau said.

Pagasa also said the typhoon and the southwest monsoon will bring strong winds across most parts of Luzon and Visayas, as well as Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.

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Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Higos remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and has maintained its strength as it moves west-northwestward near Guam.

Based on the latest advisory, Higos was located 2,120 km east of Central Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h. It is moving west-northwestward at 20 km/h.

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It will be assigned the local name Gardo once it enters PAR on Thursday evening and is expected to exit by Friday morning or afternoon. /mcm

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