Taiwan: Agricultural loss toll from heavy rains up to NT$210 million

Taipei, Aug. 8 (CNA) The torrential rainfall that has drenched Taiwan in recent days has caused an estimated NT$210 million (US$7.5 million) in agricultural losses as of Sunday evening, according to the Council of Agriculture (COA). Farmers in central and southern Taiwan have sustained the heaviest crop and livestock losses and equipment damage because of the heavy rainfall from a tropical depression and seasonal winds that has battered Taiwan since Aug. 6, the COA said. Yunlin County has suffered the most damage of any area in Taiwan, racking up NT$51.9 million in losses to date, COA data showed. Pingtung County was next with estimated losses of NT$37.3 million, while Tainan, Chiayi County and Nantou have each reported estimated losses of more than NT$30 million, the data showed. According to the COA, farmers growing papaya, peanut and longan were the hardest hit, ...