A woman shares her umbrella with her dog as they walk under a sudden drizzle on May 25, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA - State weather bureau PAGASA declared the start of the rainy season on Wednesday.

In a statement, PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said scattered rain showers, frequent thunderstorms, and Typhoon Aghon "signifie[d] the start of the rainy season in the country." 

The weather agency said that "above-normal" rainfall is possible in some areas, especially towards the end of the year, due to the developing La Niña. 

"PAGASA will continue to monitor the weather and climate situation of the country. The public and all concerned agencies are advised to take precautionary measures against the adverse impacts of the rainy season, Habagat, and the impending La Niña such as floods and rain-induced landslides," it said.

Aghon recently brought heavy floods to different parts of Quezon, Laguna, and Batangas, and intermittent rains in some parts of Metro Manila.

Aghon: Surviving 2024’s first tropical cyclone

The death toll from Aghon has risen to seven, official figures showed Wednesday.

The first storm to hit the country this year made landfall on the central island of Samar late Friday before sweeping northwest to the most populous island of Luzon.

More than 8,000 people were forced to flee their homes as heavy rain caused widespread flooding, power outages and damage to crops.

About 20 storms and typhoons hit the Philippines or its surrounding waters per year, damaging homes and infrastructure and killing hundreds of people.

-- With a report from Agence France-Presse