According to storm news, the latest low pressure from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Typhoon Mekkhala has strengthened into a typhoon.
At 8 pm on June 21, the storm center was located at about 16.7 degrees North latitude - 130.5 degrees East longitude, about 895km east of the Central Luzon area. The strongest wind near the storm center reached 130km/h, the strongest gusts reached 160km/h.
The storm is moving in the Northwest direction at a speed of about 25km/h. The storm's circulation continues to expand with a strong wind area of storm level extending up to 420km from the center.
Currently, the Philippines has not issued storm warning signals for the mainland area. However, PAGASA said that level 1 strong wind signals may be issued from the morning of June 22 for some localities in the North and East of Cagayan province, Babuyan and Batanes archipelagoes if the storm continues to approach further.
Although it has not directly affected the weather in the Philippines, the circulation of the storm is strengthening the Southwest monsoon. From June 22, Northern Luzon and some western Luzon and Visayas areas are likely to experience heavy rain due to the combined impact of the monsoon and the storm circulation.
In addition, the strengthening Southwest monsoon also caused strong gusts of wind in many areas of the Philippines, especially coastal and high mountainous areas.
At sea, waves from 2-2.5m high appear in many sea areas in the East of the Philippines. The meteorological agency warns small boats to be cautious when operating at sea and limit going out to sea in bad weather conditions.
Regarding the trajectory, PAGASA forecasts that Typhoon Mekkhala will continue to move in a Northwest direction until June 24. After that, the typhoon will slow down and gradually move north, towards the southern region of Japan.
Meteorological experts predict the storm will continue to strengthen in the next 48 hours. The storm is likely to reach its strongest intensity on June 23 before entering a weakening phase.
Throughout the forecast period, the storm's center is expected to remain active in the Philippine Sea. However, the possibility of the storm approaching the northernmost Luzon area has not been ruled out if the trajectory continues to move westward.
Currently, Typhoon Mekkhala is still quite far from the East Sea. People and tourists planning to visit the Philippines or sea areas where the typhoon passes should pay attention to weather forecasts to adjust their schedules appropriately, avoiding rain and storms from affecting them.
