Metro Manila, Philippines — The state weather bureau placed Batanes, the northeastern portion of Cagayan, and the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 on Monday morning, June 22, as Typhoon Francisco continues to intensify.
In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) specified that the coverage area includes the entire province of Batanes, the municipalities of Gonzaga and Santa Ana in Cagayan, and the eastern section of the Babuyan Islands.
State forecasters warned that the typhoon will reach its peak intensity by Tuesday, June 23. The severe weather system is then projected to gradually weaken before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday.
The cyclone was last spotted 715 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 170 kph.
