Francisco now a typhoon, expected to enhance southwest monsoon

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FRANCISCO. Satellite image of Typhoon Francisco (Mekkhala) as of June 21, 2026, 4 pm.

Typhoon Francisco (Mekkhala) is located 1,055 kilometers east of Central Luzon on Sunday afternoon, June 21

MANILA, Philippines – Francisco (Mekkhala) strengthened from a severe tropical storm into a typhoon at 2 pm on Sunday, June 21.

Francisco’s maximum sustained winds increased from 110 kilometers per hour to 120 km/h, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in a bulletin issued at 5 pm. Its gustiness is now up to 150 km/h from the previous 135 km/h.