30.07.2010
Farm losses from heavy rain in southern Taiwan hit NT$6.7 million
Central and southern Taiwan suffered NT$6.7 million in agricultural damage caused by torrential rain since July 26, the Council of Agriculture (COA) reported Wednesday.
As of Wednesday, crop losses in Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan and Kaohsiung counties were estimated at NT$6.3 million, with watermelons being the hardest hit crop.
The losses on chicken farms in the four counties was an estimated NT$360,000. Some 30,000 chickens died as a result of the heavy rain.
As of 10: 00 a.m. Wednesday, Hsinying in Tainan County had recorded the highest volume of rainfall at 633.5mm, followed by Shuehling in Taichung County with 377mm and Alishan Mountain in Chiayi County with 335mm.
According to the Central Weather Bureau, the southwestern low pressure system will begin weakening and moving north on Thursday.
Local governments in northern Taiwan are preparing for possible damage from torrential rain, while the Ministry of National Defense has deployed troops in the area in case of emergency.
Meanwhile, amid a 20 percent increase in vegetable prices as a result of the rain damage, the Central Emergency Operations Command Center said, the COA has stockpiled 7,216 metric tons of frozen vegetables at 406 depots in 138 townships to deal with a possible shortage.
The recent rains have caused the worst flooding in southern Taiwan since Typhoon Morakot devastated the area in August last year.
Source - CNA | 
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