Severe Tropical Storm Crising Hits Cagayan Agriculture
TUGUEGARAO CITY — Severe Tropical Storm Crising inflicted significant damage on Cagayan’s agriculture, with losses estimated at P36.65 million, local officials reported Wednesday. The storm’s heavy rains submerged large areas of farmland, severely impacting the province’s agricultural sector.
According to the Provincial Agriculture Office, at least 4,772 farmers suffered setbacks as rice fields, corn farms, and high-value commercial crops were flooded. The four-word keyphrase ‘Severe Tropical Storm Crising’ reflects the storm’s destructive impact.
Rice Fields Bear the Brunt of Damage
Rice crops sustained the heaviest losses, totaling around P24.045 million. Most of these paddies were either newly planted or in their reproductive stages, which made them especially vulnerable to the flooding. The hardest-hit towns included Aparri, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Gattaran, Lal-lo, Sta. Ana, Alcala, Abulug, Allacapan, Ballesteros, Claveria, Amulung, Enrile, Iguig, Solana, and Tuao.
Impact on Aquaculture and High-Value Crops
Fishponds and fish cages also suffered, with damages reaching nearly P7.99 million. Aquaculture operations in Buguey, Sta. Teresita, Aparri, Gonzaga, and Camalaniugan were affected. Species such as tilapia, milkfish, crab, catfish, sea urchin, lobster, and butterflyfish were impacted, disrupting local livelihoods.
In addition, high-value commercial crops including vegetables, bananas, and various fruits reported losses worth P2.43 million. These damages were concentrated in Sta. Ana, Sta. Teresita, Abulug, and Lasam.
Corn Crops Also Damaged Across Several Towns
Corn farms, mostly in the reproductive and seedling stages, faced damage valued at P2.18 million. The affected municipalities are Sta. Teresita, Gattaran, Rizal, Peñablanca, and Baggao. This cumulative damage underscores the widespread impact of Severe Tropical Storm Crising on the province’s agricultural economy.
For more news and updates on Severe Tropical Storm Crising, visit Filipinokami.com.
