Non-stop rains and strong winds triggered flash floods and landslides in different parts of Bicol and Central Visayas hours before Tropical Storm "Urduja" was expected to make landfall.

In Sorsogon, a portion of the highway along Barangay Pange in Matnog town was temporarily impassable due to a landslide.

Authorities have cleared debris and roadblocks. No one was reported injured in the incident.

Other parts of Sorsogon were also flooded.

In Leyte, residents of Tacloban City waded in knee-deep to thigh-deep floods as rains continued to dampen the city.

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Some families who live in coastal barangays have voluntarily evacuated.

Landslides and flashfloods were also recorded in Balatan, Camarines Sur, Biliran, and Ormoc City.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesperson Romina Marasigan said people staying in low-lying areas should evacuate as soon as possible as Tropical Storm "Urduja" is expected to bring heavy rains.

"Tropical storm ito pero ang pag-ulan na dala nito ay magdudulot ng malawakang pagbaha... Dahil matagal ito sa dagat ay nag-iipon ito ng tubig," Marasigan said.

The NDRRMC spokesperson said relief packs are on standby in social welfare warehouses in case those affected would have to spend the holidays in evacuation centers.

"Ayaw natin na mag-spend sila ng Pasko sa evacuation centers pero mas importante ang kanilang kaligtasan," Marasigan said.

Weather bureau PAGASA said Saturday that Urduja is moving west towards the Northern-Eastern Samar area at 15 kph, dumping rains on it way. It is likely to make landfall Saturday afternoon or evening.

Several parts of the Visayas and Luzon have been placed under storm warning signals because of the oncoming storm.

• 'Urduja' now threatening Samar, Sorsogon; another LPA spotted