July 16, 2010

Typhoon Basyang damages agriculture in Philippines

Typhoon "Basyang" damaged over PHP23 million (US$) worth of agriculture and infrastructure in four regions of the Philippines, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

Partial assessment of damages to agriculture and infrastructure left by tropical storm Basyang reached PHP23.696 million in Regions 4-A, 4-B, 5 and the National Capital Region, the NDCC said.

The NDCC reported that 71,274 tonnes of crops valued at PHP1.398 million were lost from 207 hectares of agricultural land in Laguna province.

Likewise, there were 941 hectares of agricultural land was also damaged in Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Mabitac and Pila towns of Laguna.

Basyang entered the Philippine area of responsibility Monday and made landfall in Northern Quezon area late Tuesday evening. It was forecast to move towards Central Luzon but it changed direction and headed to Metro Manila instead and also affected nearby provinces.