Pingtung Heavy Rain Causes NT$2.92 Million in Agricultural Losses; Watermelon Most Affected, Cash Aid Submitted

Central News Agency Report

(CNA Reporter Huang Yu-ching, Pingtung County, June 11) Consecutive heavy rains in June have caused agricultural damage. The Pingtung County Government's Department of Agriculture announced today that total agricultural losses across the county have exceeded NT$2.92 million. Watermelon crops were the most severely affected, and the county has submitted applications to the Council of Agriculture for cash assistance for crops meeting meteorological parameters.

The Pingtung County Department of Agriculture issued a press release today stating that the series of disasters in June significantly impacted local agricultural products. County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi instructed the Department of Agriculture to strengthen coordination with township and city offices, urging them to promptly complete damage assessments and enter data into the system according to regulations. This will enable the Council of Agriculture to comprehensively consider the announcement of cash assistance for natural disasters in agriculture, helping farmers resume cultivation and reconstruction.

Department Director Li Yung-wen pointed out that due to the impact of extreme climate, heavy rain disasters have occurred frequently. He urged township and city mayors to pay attention to farmers' rights and the processing capacity of local offices, and to assign additional personnel for on-site inspections and damage reporting if necessary. He also reminded farmers to use the 'On-site Disaster Photo Reporting App for Agriculture' to photograph and record crop damage in their fields after disasters, providing local offices with consolidated information on crop losses to accelerate data compilation and administrative procedures.

Li stated that the county government has gradually submitted crop items meeting meteorological parameters—including watermelon, melon, bitter gourd, and dragon’s beard vegetable—to the Council of Agriculture to initiate the cash assistance announcement process, ensuring farmers' rights.

According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture, cumulative agricultural losses have reached NT$2.927 million as of today. Watermelon suffered the highest loss at NT$737,000, affecting 16.6 hectares, mainly in Jiuru, Yanpu, Changzhi, and Ligang townships. Papaya followed with NT$600,000 in losses, affecting 15 hectares in Changzhi and Yanpu. Guava recorded losses of NT$295,000, and bitter gourd NT$250,000. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150611

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