Typhoon Mekkhala, locally named Francisco, will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday, while Tropical Storm Higos is expected to enter PAR on the same day, according to the state weather bureau. As of Wednesday, Mekkhala was last located 295 kilometers west of Iba, Zambales, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 170 km/h, BusinessWorld reported.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Mekkhala is moving northwestward at 20 km/h and is forecast to leave PAR Thursday morning or afternoon. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Higos was spotted 1,225 kilometers east of Central Luzon, moving westward at 15 km/h, and is expected to enter PAR either Thursday or Friday.
No tropical cyclone wind signals have been raised for Higos as of Wednesday, though PAGASA advised residents in affected areas to monitor updates. Mekkhala brought heavy rains and gusty winds over parts of Luzon earlier this week, causing localized flooding in some low-lying areas.