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Cold, wet weather wreaks havoc on crops, fish farms

"The decision was made for the sake of safety. Taiwan is a subtropical country. Most people lack experience in climbing mountains covered in snow."

Huang Wen-ching, Taroko National Park official

The recent cold spell has caused agricultural losses exceeding NT$800 million, the Council of Agriculture said yesterday. Also, the Central Weather Bureau warned that next cold mass might arrive on Friday and it might become wet and cold again over the weekend.

Bureau forecasters said yesterday that residents in northern Taiwan will likely enjoy the sunshine yesterday and today only. Rain is expected for tomorrow. However, temperatures will stay at comfortable 25?C during daytime, the bureau said.

The temperature is expected to drop on Friday, and the rainy conditions will likely continued. On average across the country, the temperature will decrease by six to eight degrees.

Recent cold weather has caused milkfish and clam stocks to dwindle in western coastal areas of Chiayi and Yunlin counties.

"We've experience a die-off of milkfish recently. The price has doubled," said Yen Chin-chung (顏金鐘), bureau chief for Putai Township, Chiayi County.

According to Yen, the wholesale price for milkfish was about NT$30 for 600g, but yesterday it exceeded NT$60. Yen said that in the market, the price for 600g even neared NT$100, the highest price in the past eight years.

Council officials estimate that the aquaculture sector suffered losses of about NT$5.7 million, while in the agricultural sector, crops covering roughly 13,377 hectares of land been damaged by the weather.

The latest statistics released yesterday by the council indicate that the continuous cold, rainy days since middle of last month had caused agricultural losses totaling NT$876.6 million. Council officials said financial subsidies would be given to affected farmers after a loss assessment was made.

As of Sunday, 77 people have died as a result of bad weather, local media reported. In addition, the number of people visiting hospitals tripled on average across the country. The administration of Taroko National Park yesterday announced that the park would be temporarily closed because of the 30cm of snow that had accumulated.

"The decision was made for the sake of safety. Taiwan is a subtropical country. Most people lack experience in climbing mountains covered in snow," said Huang Wen-ching (黃文卿), superintendent of Taroko National Park.

Huang said that how long the park be closed remained uncertain.
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