The Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed its units on high alert as Typhoon Francisco, internationally known as Mekkhala, tracks toward the country. While the storm is not expected to make landfall, officials warn that it may intensify the southwest monsoon, potentially triggering heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides in low-lying areas starting Monday, June 22.
Current status of Typhoon Francisco
As of 4 a.m. Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that Typhoon Francisco was located 715 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The storm is moving west-northwest at 30 kilometers per hour. It is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour with gusts reaching 170 kilometers per hour. Pagasa forecasts that the system will remain over the Philippine Sea for the duration of its time within the country’s area of responsibility, though a closer approach to extreme Northern Luzon remains a possibility.
Police disaster response protocols
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed on Monday that police units are observing established disaster response protocols. This includes active coordination with local government units to facilitate preemptive evacuations and other safety operations. According to Nartatez, the PNP is prioritizing the safety of residents in communities likely to be affected by the weather system. The agency is specifically monitoring low-lying areas, which are historically vulnerable to the flash floods and landslides often associated with heavy monsoon rains.
What happens next for affected communities
The immediate risk to the public stems from the enhancement of the southwest monsoon rather than a direct hit from the typhoon itself. Because the storm is expected to linger over the Philippine Sea, its influence on local weather patterns may persist, creating conditions that officials say require ongoing vigilance. Gen. Nartatez has urged the public to monitor and strictly follow official advisories issued by local authorities to ensure timely responses to changing conditions.
