MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) is nearing typhoon category, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Sunday.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, Pagasa reported that Francisco was packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour, and gusts of up to 135 kph.
The cyclone was last observed 1,170 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, moving northwestward at 25 kph.
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Pagasa noted that Francisco will “continue to intensify and may reach typhoon category today.”
It added that Francisco will further intensify into its peak intensity by Monday or Tuesday. /dl
