BUTOLPOST – Tropical storm Francisco continues to show increasing strength as it moves closer to the Philippines. The Philippine Astronomical, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported the storm is now packing winds of up to 155 kilometers per hour with maximum gusts reaching 190 kilometers per hour.
Based on PAGASA’s report on Monday (22/6) at 11.00 local time, the center of the storm was around 620 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province, and moving west-northwest at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour.
A number of areas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 1 status, including Batanes, northeastern Cagayan areas such as Gonzaga and Santa Ana, as well as parts of the Babuyan Islands, including Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, and Camiguin Island.
Apart from the threat of strong winds, the influence of the southwest monsoon strengthened by Hurricane Francisco is predicted to trigger bad weather in a number of other areas, including La Union, Pangasinan, Calabarzon, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, several areas of the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
PAGASA also warned of the potential for heavy rains in Batanes and Cagayan that could increase the risk of floods and landslides, especially in disaster-prone areas.
In the marine sector, high waves are expected to hit the waters around the Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, Batanes, Isabela, and the northern part of Aurora. All fishermen and small boat operators, including outrigger boats, are asked to postpone shipping activities until weather conditions become safe again.
According to PAGASA, Hurricane Francisco still has the potential to continue strengthening and is expected to reach its peak intensity on Tuesday. However, until now the Philippine meteorological agency has not categorized Francisco as a super storm.
PAGASA also warned that although the storm’s center is still far from the Philippine mainland, a slight change in the direction of movement to the west could increase its impact on the northern regions of the country. Residents are asked to continue to follow developments in weather information and obey all warnings from local authorities.***
