Super Typhoon Mekkhala triggers Signal No. 1 in six areas; LPA develops into tropical depression

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over six areas due to the effects of Super Typhoon Mekkhala, locally named Francisco, which is bringing life-threatening winds and heavy rains, according to the state weather bureau on Tuesday. It also reported that a low-pressure area (LPA) has developed into a tropical depression.

Mekkhala intensified from a typhoon into a super typhoon at 8 p.m. on Monday, PAGASA said during its 5 a.m. media briefing.

The super typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 230 kph.

It was located 410 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, moving west northwestward at 10 kph.

The same six areas remain under Storm Signal No. 1 due to the super typhoon. These include Batanes; Gonzaga and Santa Ana in Cagayan; and the islands of Babuyan, Didicas, and Camiguin.

Under the storm signal, PAGASA said minimal to minor threats to life and property from strong winds are expected.

The weather bureau said raising storm signal no. 2 over parts of the Babuyan Islands and Batanes is not ruled out should the super typhoon move closer to the country.

Although wind signals have been hoisted in only six areas, strong to gale-force gusts are expected in more areas due to the effects of the southwest monsoon and the outer circulation of Francisco.

Areas expected to experience these conditions include most of Luzon and the Visayas, as well as the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.

A Yellow Rainfall Warning has also been issued for Batanes and Cagayan, indicating that heavy rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters is expected within the next 24 hours, PAGASA said in its 5am Heavy Rainfall Outlook.

Meanwhile, the LPA that developed on Monday intensified into a tropical depression, PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. media advisory.

The tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph.

It was located 2,680 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

However, PAGASA said its entry into the PAR is not ruled out as it moves west northwestward at 20 kph.

The bureau said the weather disturbance is not expected to have any direct effect on the country during the forecast period. — Edg Adrian A. Eva