‘Falcon’ intensifies into tropical stor

MANILA, Philippines—Tropical Depression “Falcon” intensified into a tropical storm on Wednesday, but the weather bureau said the new weather disturbance was not expected to make landfall in the country.

As of early evening Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has not raised any storm warning signal in any part of the country.

But Pagasa said Falcon would bring occasional rains over the country, and these could become widespread over the eastern section of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. These could also trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Falcon has so far remained on its track, and is headed for southern Japan. There is a possibility that it may leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday.

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, Falcon was located 370 kilometers east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

It was moving west northwest at 19 kilometers per hour and packed maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

By Thursday morning, it is forecast to be 380 km east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora and by Friday morning, it is expected to be 360 km northeast of Basco, Batanes. It is forecast to be 740 km north northeast of Basco, or 40 km southwest of Okinawa, Japan by Saturday.

Incessant rains over the past few days have contributed to the rise of floodwaters in Mindanao, displacing thousands.

Flooding has also led to the cancellation of classes in Luzon.

Tropical Depression “Egay” and floods due to persistent rains caused an estimated P316.12 million in agricultural damage, according to a consolidated report from the Department of Agriculture.

The DA based the initial estimate on reports from three regions (X, XI, ARMM) from five provinces (Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao City and Maguindanao).

“The loss is mainly due to damaged crops (rice, corn, and high value crops) and lost/dead livestock and poultry,” the DA said.

The DA said that as of June 21, the total crop area affected had reached 17,864 hectares, with 13,304 hectares or 74 percent with no chance of recovery.

Losses from dead or lost livestock and poultry amounted to P747,000.

Rice area affected covers 11,584 hectares resulting in a loss of 3,919 metric tons of palay valued at P66 million.

But this volume represents only 0.11 percent of the national production forecast of 3,490,015 tons in the third quarter (July to December).

Most of the affected rice area (86 percent) is in the seedbed and vegetative stage. Direct losses from inputs cost around P126 million, the DA said.

Corn area affected totaled 6,105 hectares resulting in a production loss of 6,214 tons corn valued at P81 million.

The volume of lost corn comprises only 0.26 percent of the third quarter national production forecast of 2,356,460 tons. Corn areas affected were mostly in the seedling and vegetative stage (69 percent) resulting to lost investment of P32 million.

The DA singled out the province of Maguindanao as the area that suffered the biggest loss. Agricultural damage in the province was estimated at P277 million.

The DA said the majority of lost produce (3,723 tons rice and 5,023 tons corn) came from this province.—With a report from Riza T. Olchondra

Source : http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/17194/%E2%80%98falcon%E2%80%99-intensifies-into-tropical-storm