Typhoon Falcon (international name “Chan-hom”) maintained strength before noon Thursday and is expected to exit Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday morning, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in its 11 a.m. advisory.

As of 10 a.m. today, Falcon was estimated at 795 km east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes and expected to move northwest at 22 kph.

It packed maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

By Friday morning, Falcon is expected to be outside PAR at 620 km north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Friday morning.

The weather bureau said Falcon may pack heavy to at times intense rainfall within its 300-km radius.

Falcon continues to enhance the southwest monsoon which brings intermittent heavy rains into the country.

PAGASA said moderate to occasionally heavy rain is expected over Luzon and Visayas, particularly in the western sections.

Residents in mountainous and low-lying areas are warned against possible flash floods and landslides. Fisherfolks are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.