Typhoon Gardo slightly weakens

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Gardo (international name: Maria) has slightly weakened while moving west-northwest, hours after it entered the Philippine area of responsibility, state weather bureau PAGASA said Monday.

In a press briefing, PAGASA weather specialist Ariel Rojas said “Gardo” was last located 1,015 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes.

It packs maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 225 kilometers per hour.

No tropical cyclone warning signal has been raised over any part of the country.

“Gardo” is expected to exit the country by Wednesday morning.

Residents of Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Bicol, Zambales, Bataan and Aurora will experience occasional rains until Tuesday.

Monsoon rains, boosted by Typhoon Gardo, will affect most of Luzon—especially those living in Bataan, Zambales, Cavite, Mindoro and Palawan—by Wednesday.

“Residents of these areas are advised to take precautionary measures against possible flooding and landslides due to heavy rains,” the state weather bureau said.

Gale warning is raised in Batanes, Babuyan Group of Islands, Cagayan and Isabela, PAGASA added.