September 18, 2008

The Council of Agriculture said Typhoon Sinlaku had caused NT$736.74 million (US$22.96 million) in agricultural losses as of 0700 GMT Wednesday (September 17), an increase of NT$66.32 million from Tuesday's NT$670.42 million damage estimate.

A total of 11,649 hectares were affected by flooding, which damaged NT$481.38 million worth of crops, including guavas, bananas and vegetables, the council said in a statement. The storm also killed livestock worth around NT$28.94 million, mainly due to the loss of 267,000 chickens, the Cabinet-level agency said.

Damage to fisheries totalled NT$57.29 million, and damage to agricultural facilities was NT$148.06 million, it said.

Typhoons frequently hit Taiwan in the summer, driving up the prices of fresh food.