Taiwan's agricultural losses from Typhoon Megi hit 31.9 mln U.S. dollars

Taiwan's agricultural sector suffered estimated losses of 1.03 billion new Taiwanese dollars (about 31.9 million U.S. dollars) following Typhoon Megi swept across the island on Tuesday and early Wednesday, the island's agricultural department said Wednesday.

About 20 percent of the losses were in Yunlin County in the central part of the island, the most among all counties and cities, according to the department, which added that around 19,000 hectares of crops were damaged by the typhoon.

The typhoon also led to casualties on the island. The island's Emergency Operation Center said Wednesday that four people had died and 625 others were injured.

Packing strong winds and heavy rain, the typhoon also resulted in power cuts to around 3.9 million homes, according to the center.

In addition to forcing schools and businesses to close, the typhoon also grounded flights and suspended train services and shipping lanes, the center said.

The typhoon made landfall in Hualien City in the east part of the island at about 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, packing winds of up to 198 km per hour, according to the island's meteorological agency, which issued land and sea warnings for the storm system.

Typhoon Megi, the third storm system to hit the island in about two weeks, followed Typhoon Meranti, which left one person dead and more than 50 injured when it swept across the southern part of the island, and Typhoon Malakas. Typhoon Meranti was the most powerful typhoon this year.

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday extended condolences to Taiwanese compatriots affected by the recent typhoons.

The mainland will support all disaster prevention efforts and help to improve the welfare of people across the Strait, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. Endit