The Philippines has dodged a direct hit from the year’s first supertyphoon, as Francisco—internationally known as Mekkhala—lost significant strength on Tuesday morning. After initially threatening the northern region with powerful 230 kph gusts, the cyclone downgraded to a standard typhoon with sustained winds of 175 kph. Weather authorities confirmed that the storm has shifted its path, curving northward toward southern Japan instead of making landfall in Luzon. Despite this change in direction, the country remains under a weather alert as the system continues to pull in the southwest monsoon, bringing widespread rainfall and potential gusty conditions to coastal and mountainous areas.

While the change in track saved the region from the worst of the winds, the rainfall remains a double-edged sword for the country. Meteorologists have issued warnings for small seacrafts to remain in port, while cloudy and wet conditions are expected to persist through Wednesday. Interestingly, local farmers view the precipitation as a vital reprieve. After a period of drought hindered earlier harvests, agricultural workers like Domingo Balisi are hopeful that the rains—even if less intense than expected—will help stabilize crops that have struggled due to the lack of moisture this year. While the Magat Dam has yet to see a significant rise in water levels from the storm, the arrival of rain is a welcome sight for those in the agricultural sector.