Typhoon Mekkhala Moves Northwest Off Northern Philippines

Philippine authorities on Tuesday warned of possible flooding in low-lying villages, landslides and rough seas in the country’s two northernmost provinces as Typhoon Mekkhala tracked offshore. The storm was last located over the Pacific before midday, about 375 kilometers northeast of Aparri town in Cagayan province, with sustained winds of up to 175 kph, the country’s weather agency said.

Mekkhala was moving northwestward at 10 kph and was not expected to make landfall.

The typhoon’s wide rain and wind band could affect the eastern coasts of Cagayan and Batanes, officials said. The first of a five-step tropical cyclone wind warning was issued over northeastern coastal areas, prohibiting boats from heading out to sea.

Disaster-mitigation personnel were placed on alert in vulnerable villages and towns. The typhoon is forecast to pass nearest to the coast of Batanes on Wednesday, about 275 kilometers offshore. After that, the storm is expected to move past Taiwan’s east coast and then toward Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu on Saturday.

The Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons and storms each year.