Manila, June 24 -- Typhoon Francisco (international name Mekkhala) continues to weaken, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 km. per hour near the center and gusts of up to 190 kph, the Philppine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Wednesday.

The cyclone, located 275 km. east of Basco, Batanes as of 4 a.m., is forecast to remain as a typhoon while inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

It is moving northward at 10 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is hoisted in Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana) including Babuyan Islands.

Francisco's periphery and the southwest monsoon (habagat) will bring strong to gale-force gusts across the Visayas, most o...