Manila: Wind signal no. 1 remains hoisted in some Northern Luzon areas as Typhoon Francisco maintained its strength, the weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Tuesday. These areas are Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana), including the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, Camiguin Island).

According to Philippines News Agency, Francisco is packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 215 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. It was last located 330 km east of Calayan, Cagayan, moving northwestward at 10 kph. It is expected to bring heavy rains across Batanes and Cagayan.

Francisco's periphery and the southwest monsoon (habagat) will bring strong to gale-force gusts across the Visayas, most of Luzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. A gale warning is in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon.

PAGASA said very rough, high, or very high seas may prevail over the eastern seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan. Sea travel is risky for all types and tonnage of vessels, PAGASA warned. Rough seas may prevail over the remaining seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and mainland Cagayan. Mariners of small seacraft, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture to the sea.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said Francisco will likely remain as a typhoon while inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. It is also forecast to remain far from landmass, PAGASA said.