MANILA - Typhoon Gardo has weakened as it traversed waters north of the Philippines, state weather bureau PAGASA said Monday.
At 4 p.m., Gardo was 1,015 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour and 225 kph gusts, said PAGASA weather specialist Ariel Rojas.
Gardo (international name: Maria) is moving west northwest at 30 kph, and is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday morning.
Rojas said monsoon rains will be experienced over MIMAROPA and Western Visayas from Monday until Wednesday, with occasional rains over Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol region, Zambales, Bataan and Aurora until Tuesday.
By Wednesday, monsoon rains will affect most of Luzon, especially the western sections.
Residents in these areas are advised to take precautionary measures against possible flooding and landslides.
PAGASA also warned of risky sea travel over the northern and eastern seaboards of northern Luzon.
According to Rojas, the low pressure area in the West Philippine Sea will have no direct effect to the Philippines should it develop into a typhoon, but it may bring rains to the country until Thursday or Friday.
Visit the ABS-CBN Weather Center for the latest weather updates.
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