Manila: Super Typhoon Francisco (international name Mekkhala) maintains its strength Tuesday, with several areas in northern Luzon still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. This tropical cyclone will remain far from the Philippine landmass. It is forecast to gradually decelerate while moving north northwest until Wednesday morning before recurving towards the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan.

According to Philippines News Agency,Francisco is packing maximum sustained winds of 185 km per hour near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph. As of 4 a.m., it was located 410 km east of Aparri, Cagayan. Strong winds will prevail in areas under signal no. 1: Batanes, the northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana) including the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Is., Didicas Is., Camiguin Is.).

The southwest monsoon and the periphery of Francisco will also cause strong to gale-force gusts across most of Luzon, the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. The seaboards of Batanes, Cagayan, eastern seaboards of Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and northern Aurora may experience rough seas. Mariners of small sea vessels, including all types of motor bancas, are advised not to venture to the sea.

PAGASA said Batanes and Cagayan will also continue experiencing heavy rains due to Francisco. Meanwhile, Francisco could possibly reach its peak intensity within the day. Afterwards, a weakening trend is expected, PAGASA said. It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday morning.