Tuguegarao city: Typhoon Francisco (international name Mekkhala) is forecast to reach the super typhoon category in the next 12 hours, the weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Monday. Francisco has further intensified, with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph. It was last located 625 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, moving west northwestward at 20 kph.

According to Philippines News Agency, Signal No. 1 is hoisted in Batanes, the northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana), including the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, Camiguin Island). The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) indicated that the highest wind signal likely to be hoisted throughout the cyclone's passage is Signal No. 2.

The periphery of Francisco and the southwest monsoon (habagat) have been causing strong to gale-force gusts in most of Luzon and the Visayas, as well as in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. Heavy rains are impacting Batanes and Cagayan, courtesy of Francisco and the habagat.

PAGASA added that rough seas could prevail over the seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, and the eastern seaboards of Isabela and northern Aurora. Mariners of small seacraft, including all types of motorbancas, are advised against venturing to sea.

Meanwhile, PAGASA forecasts that Francisco will begin to weaken starting Wednesday. Despite the anticipated intensification, the typhoon is also forecast to remain far from the landmass.