Around five to eight tropical cyclones are expected to hit the Philippines from June to August even though the dry spell brought about by El Niño may persist until the end of the year, state weather bureau PAGASA said Wednesday.

PAGASA deputy administrator Flaviana Hilario said the rainy season for the western side of the country will begin in the first half of June.

"And in terms of our forecast on the number of tropical cyclones, from June to August we are expecting around 5 to 8 tropical cyclones," Hilario said at a news conference in Malacañang.

She said normal rainfall conditions will be experienced in many parts of the country in June except for Apayao, most parts of Ilocos Region, Cagayan, Tarlac and Zambales.

Hilario said generally near normal to above normal rainfall conditions will be experienced in most of Luzon and Visayas in but generally below normal over most of Mindanao and Southern Visayas in July.

For August, generally near to above normal rainfall conditions will prevail over most parts of the country, she said.

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