Moderate to heavy rains are expected to prevail over Palawan as Tropical Storm Vinta edges closer to the the southern tip of Luzon, state weather bureau PAGASA said Saturday morning.

As of 10 a.m., Vinta was last spotted 245 kms west northwest of Zamboanga City, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 95 kph, PAGASA said.

The tropical storm that has claimed at least 30 lives and triggered massive flooding in parts of Mindanao continues to move west at 20 kph, PAGASA said.

• 'Vinta' death toll climbs to 30: officials

Southern Palawan has been placed under storm warning signal no. 2, while signal no. 1 was raised in other parts of the province.

The state weather bureau advised against sea travel in the "southern seaboard of Mindoro province and the western seaboard of Aklan and Antique" due to rough seas.

Those in Palawan, Bicol, Visayas, and Mindanao should also be alert against possible flash floods and landslides that may be triggered by non-stop rains, PAGASA said.

Vinta is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Christmas eve.