Typhoon Morakot has been labeled the worst typhoon to hit southern Taiwan in the last fifty years. In its wake the typhoon left substantial agricultural and fishery damage.According to records compiled by the Cabinet-level Council on Agriculture, Taiwan has suffered the second-worst agricultural losses following a typhoon in the 18 years the statistics have been recorded. Roger Chou, writing for the Central News Agency in Taiwan reports that the damage to agricultural crops and fisheries is estimated to be NT$7.8 billion, which is equal to $237 million dollars of damage. The worst agricultural damage caused by a typhoon was in August of 1996 when Typhoon Herbert caused NT$18.08 billion in damage to the industry.
Damage to crops from Typhoon Morakot is NT$3.17 billion. 27% of the crops on 55,050 hectares have been lost. The crops damaged most heavily are bananas, papayas, guavas, sweetsops, rice, bamboo shoots, and leafy vegetables. Fishery damage is equal to NT$ 3.4 billion. Over 6,074 hectares in southern Taiwan were damaged.
Typhoon Morakot made direct contact with southern Taiwan last week. The livestock industry is reporting major losses too, and roughly 647 hectares of farmland was washed away completely by the storm. To read the report from the Central News Agency click here.
Posted: 08/12/09
