The damage to agriculture due to Typhoon ”Aghon” reached over P50 million, the Department of Agriculture reported on Wednesday.

According to the DA, a total of P57.50 million of damage to agriculture was so far recorded.

The tropical cyclone affected 1,145 farmers who lost 1,955 metric tons of rice, corn and high value crops planted within the 729 hectares of damaged farmland.

The DA noted that the damaged crops include 1,089 metric tons of rice worth P24.86 million, 79 metric tons of corn worth P1.52 million and 785 metric tons of high value crops amounting to P29.34 million.

It also stated that the damage to agricultural infrastructure which includes greenhouse, livestock and poultry housing and irrigation canals reached P965.40 thousand.

As of Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported a total of 51,659 people or 16,336 families were affected because of Aghon.

Out of which, 3,878 families or 14,816 persons were being served inside 185 evacuation centers.

Aghon that was last spotted at 1,060 km east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon has a maximum sustained wind of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph while moving northwestward at the speed of 35 kph.

The tropical cyclone is expected to leave the Philippine area of Responsibility on Wednesday night. Robina Asido/DMS