Manila: Several areas in Northern Luzon are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as Typhoon Francisco (international name Mekkhala) intensifies, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Monday. The affected areas include Batanes, the northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana), and the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Is., Didicas Is., Camiguin Is.). According to Philippines News Agency, Francisco is packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts reaching up to 170 kilometers per hour. At 4 a.m., the typhoon was located 715 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, and is moving west northwestward at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour. The southwest monsoon, known locally as habagat, is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts across several regions, including La Union, Pangasinan, Region 4-A (Calabarzon), Romblon, Masbate, most of Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Lana o del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. Rough seas are anticipated along the eastern seaboards of Babuyan Islands and mainland Cagayan, as well as the eastern seaboards of Batanes and Isabela. Mariners operating small seacraft, including all types of motorbancas, are advised against venturing out to sea under these conditions. Both the habagat and Typhoon Francisco are expected to cause heavy rains across Batanes and Cagayan. PAGASA forecasts that Francisco may intensify further, reaching its peak intensity by Tuesday. While Francisco is expected to remain over the Philippine Sea during the forecast period, a closer approach to extreme northern Luzon is possible if there is a westward shift in its forecast track.