Typhoon Karen leaves P741.42M worth of agri damage

Typhoon Karen left P741,420,143.21 worth of damage to the agriculture sector in Regions I, V, and the Cordillera Administrative Region, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.

Region V encompassing Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon incurred P571,687,120.41 worth of agricultural damage, the council noted in its latest report.

In Region I, the damage to rice reached P170,559,824.44. Benguet suffered P1,153,393 worth of damage to high-value crops.

"Karen" destroyed P504,410,188.82 worth of rice, P36,474,340 of corn, P202,505,809.03 of high-value crops, and P10,000 of livestock.

The number of damaged houses reached 7,848, mostly in Regions I, II, III, V, and CAR, according to the NDRRMC.

It said 32,871 families or 149,364 persons were affected in Regions I, II, III, CALABARZON, V, and CAR. The council noted 8,516 families or 35,643 persons were still in 345 evacuation centers.

"Karen" exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday morning. — Ted Cordero/VDS,  GMA News