Typhoon Falcon (Khanun) has maintained its strength and more areas will experience gusty winds as it continues to enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat). In its 11 a.m. bulletin Monday, the state weather bureau said gusty conditions will prevail over Zambales, Bataan, the central and southern portions of Aurora, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, and most of Ilocos Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas. Falcon packs maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph. The hoisting of wind signals remains unlikely. The enhanced southwest monsoon will also cause occasional to monsoon rains over the western portion of Luzon and the Visayas in the next three days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. Floods and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas highly susceptible to these hazards. Moderate to rough seas due to enhanced southwest monsoon will continue to prevail over the coastal waters along the northern, western and southern seaboards of Luzon. PAGASA urged mariners of small sea vessels to take precautionary measures when venturing over these waters. The typhoon is forecast to slightly accelerate northwest in the next 24 hours and could reach its peak intensity either Tuesday or Wednesday. It is still expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday
Source: Philippines News Agency