TAIPEI: The tally of agricultural and fisheries losses from typhoon Morakot continues to mount. By yesterday losses had reached an estimated NT$7.8 billion ($237 million), according to the latest government statistics.

More than 5,600 hectares of bananas were wiped out. Then came heavy losses to crops of papaya, guava, sweetsop, rice, bamboo shoots and leafy vegetables.

Fisheries losses reached a new high of nearly NT$3.4 billion, exceeding the NT$2.43 billion recorded when typhoon Herbert hit thirteen years ago, Council of Agriculture (COA) data showed.

A combined 6,074 hectares of fish farms in southern Taiwan were badly damaged by Morakot - the worst typhoon to hit the south in 50 years.

Poultry and livestock losses amounted to NT$1.21 billion, with 5.32 million chickens, 922,000 ducks, and 101,802 pigs perishing in the storm.

Meanwhile, an estimated NT$174 million in damage to agricultural facilities was reported, and 647 hectares of farmland were washed away, according to the COA.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 08/13/2009 page2)