Plum rain eases temporarily as agricultural losses across Taiwan, China reach 160 million yuan, with Nantou topping the damage toll
Affected by a stationary front, heavy rain fell across Taiwan, China last week. Although the rainfall has eased over the past two days and some areas have even seen sunshine, the Central Weather Bureau pointed out that next week another front will arrive accompanied by southwesterly flow, and there may again be heavier rainfall. However, as of today, agricultural losses across Taiwan, China have already exceeded NT$100 million, reaching NT$163.52 million, and more than 40 hectares of farmland loss have accumulated in various places.
The Council of Agriculture pointed out that in this damage tally, Nantou County accumulated a total of NT$40.3 million in losses (25%), exceeding Yunlin County's NT$28.79 million (18%), followed by New Taipei City with NT$20.32 million in losses (12%), Taitung County with NT$16.74 million in losses (10%), and Yilan County with NT$16.33 million in losses (10%).
As for why Nantou County's loss amount surged, the Council of Agriculture pointed out that it was affected by the progress of disaster statistics. This heavy rain caused severe flooding in many places in Nantou County. Many crops such as cucumber, loofah, banana and sweet corn lodged and were soaked in water during this wind and rain, which also led to damage to related agricultural facilities and loss of farmland. In addition, mushroom industry damage was concentrated in Changhua, and the affected area across Taiwan, China has now reached 59%.
As for overall agricultural production losses, the estimated loss amount reached NT$112.08 million (including nearly NT$60,000 in beekeeping losses), the crop damage area was 4,136 hectares, the degree of damage was 15%, equivalent to 619 hectares of unharvested area. The main damaged crop was watermelon, with an affected area of 365 hectares and a loss amount of NT$22.41 million, followed by first-season rice, ginger, space-bag mushrooms and edible tomatoes, with affected areas of 1,543 hectares, 22 hectares, 1 hectare and 43 hectares respectively.
In the livestock sector, losses were mainly borne by the chicken, goose and pig industries, with an estimated loss amount of NT$9.47 million. Fishery disaster damage was concentrated in the trout and sturgeon industries, with an estimated loss of NT$1.76 million. In addition, there is also an estimated NT$40.2 million in private facility losses.
To help farmers get through the disaster, the Council of Agriculture also pointed out that New Taipei City, Taichung City, Changhua County, Nantou County, Yunlin County and Chiayi County have already announced cash assistance and low-interest loans, and called on farmers to submit applications as soon as possible.
