Farmers Grapple With Agricultural Losses in Aftermath of Typhoon Kong-Rey

TaiwanPlus News

Typhoon Kong-rey has left a trail of destruction across Taiwan, killing six people and causing a total of over US$6 million in agricultural losses, leaving many farmers struggling.

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00:00Across Taiwan, a trail of destruction after Super Typhoon Kung Rui ripped through the

00:06country, leaving at least three people dead and nearly 700 injured, according to the National

00:11Fire Agency.

00:13In the east coast county of Yilan, rock slides have blocked off mountain roads and damaged

00:17highways, with some parts collapsing.

00:20Strong winds and rains have also damaged over 23 hectares of crops in the region, hurting

00:25the supply of staple foods like cabbage and garlic.

00:28The landslides have destroyed a whole lot of crops.

00:36Taiwan as a whole suffered over 6 million U.S. dollars in agricultural losses.

00:40In Taitung County, also on the east coast, sugar apple orchards were damaged, with some

00:45trees blowing over completely.

00:48And around 70 to 80 percent of naval orange crops, which are harvested only once a year,

00:53are gone.

00:54And on Taiwan's west coast, oyster farmers suffered losses of over 2 million U.S. dollars.

01:00Some tried to save the floating rafts used to farm oysters, but large waves meant most

01:05were destroyed, their remnants now scattered across the shore.

01:10Our shore is very stable.

01:12It's a 10-minute walk from here to the other side of the river.

01:14It's all open.

01:15The whole area is open.

01:17Look at the current situation.

01:19There's no one on the other side of the river.

01:22Taiwan's leaders, including President Lai Ching-de and Vice President Bi Kim-siao, are

01:26visiting affected areas, including the east coast counties of Yilan, Taitung and Hualien,

01:32along with outlying Orchid Island.

01:35President Lai says he's proposing to increase next year's flood control budget to 1.7

01:39billion U.S. dollars.

01:41And agricultural officials say some farmers will also get organic fertilizer subsidies.

01:46And as repairs get underway, there's some good news.

01:49Two east coast train lines suspended in the storm are back up and running.

01:53But for many who lost crops or income, the destruction wrought by Super Typhoon Kongrei

01:58will continue to be felt for some time.

02:01Patrick Chen and Keynes Cuaranta for Taiwan Plus.

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