MANILA – Tropical storm "Urduja" has slightly accelerated and is now threatening Samar and Sorsogon, weather bureau PAGASA said Saturday.

As this developed, PAGASA weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said they are also monitoring another low pressure area outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

As of 10 a.m., the center of Urduja was located 75 kms north northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar or 120 kms east southeast of Catarman, Northern Samar.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of 80 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 95 kph. Urduja is moving west at 15 kph.

"Ayon sa forecast track, sa Wednesday pa lalabas ng PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility) si bagyong Urduja," said Aurelio.

The storm's landfall is expected this afternoon over the Northern-Eastern Samar area.

Residents of the Bicol Region, the Visayas, southern Quezon, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon should expect scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains.

They are also advised to take appropriate measures against flooding and landslides and to coordinate with their local disaster risk reduction and management offices.

Likewise, sea travel remains risky over seaboards in areas under storm signals. The incoming storm has left thousands stranded in ports across the country.

• Thousands stranded in ports due to 'Urduja'

The following tropical cyclone warning signals have been raised in these areas:

SIGNAL NO. 2:

Albay
Sorsogon
Masbate, including Burias and Ticao Islands
Romblon
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Samar
Biliran
Leyte
Aklan
Capiz
Northen Iloilo

SIGNAL No. 1:

Southern Quezon
Mindoro
Marinduque
Catanduanes
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Cuyo Islands
Calamian Group of Islands
Antique
Rest of Iloilo
Guimaras
Negros Occidental
Northern Negros Oriental
Cebu
Northern Bohol
Southern Leyte
Dinagat Islands

Meanwhile, the new LPA outside PAR was spotted 2,180 kms east of General Santos City.

“Posibleng maging bagyo itong low pressure area sa labas ng PAR at tatawagin nating Vinta kung sakaling maging bagyo,” he said.

Aurelio said the LPA is expected to enter PAR on December 19.