Rainstorms cost Taiwan's agriculture sector $18m

TAIPEI - Heavy rains that started to hit many parts of Taiwan on June 10 brought estimated losses of 548 million new Taiwanese dollars (around $18 million) to the agricultural sector as of Monday, according to figures released by the island's agricultural authorities.

Statistics showed that as of 2 pm local time on Monday, Taiwan's crop losses due to rain amounted to 356 million new Taiwanese dollars, with more than 14,000 hectares of cropland damaged.

The island's livestock sector suffered more than 10 million new Taiwanese dollars in losses from rain, with the deaths of around 700 pigs and 70,000 chickens.

Moreover, the fishery and forestry sectors recorded losses of around 82 million new Taiwanese dollars and nearly 4 million new Taiwanese dollars, respectively.

Rain-triggered disasters also left six people dead and forced the evacuations of more than 8,100 people.

Tropical storm Talim, which is likely to hit Taiwan, could bring heavy rainfall around the island from Tuesday to Friday, the island's weather forecasting agency said Monday.