Floods ruin P22-M crops in Isabela

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines  – At least P22 million worth of major crops in Isabela were damaged by flashfloods, which also left at least four people dead and thousands affected.

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), some 340 hectares planted to corn were totally damaged in 10 towns of Isabela, which has been hit by continuous rains since last week.

The towns which incurred the most damage, according to reports, were Burgos, Gamu, Luna, Ilagan, San Pablo, Tumauini, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Benito Soliven and Alicia as well as the cities of Santiago and Cauayan.

Initial damage assessment show that these areas lost P20.40 million worth of corn crops and another P2 million worth of palay due to the floods, which affected more than 7,000 families or 29,544 Isabela folk.

Of the total 89,218 hectares planted to corn this cropping season, the PDRRMC said 340 hectares were totally damaged while 4,426 hectares were partially damaged, with more than 3,000 farmers affected.

The council is still awaiting damage reports from the other towns, where floodwaters in several barangays have yet to totally subside.

Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III has ordered forced evacuation of residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas, although some of the affected families have sought refuge with their relatives in safe areas.

The floods also left four people dead in Isabela and a lone casualty in Cagayan, all due to drowning.