Philippines storm causing $421,409 losses

With four provinces in north Philippines hit thus far, Saola storm is causing losses worth USD 421,409 to the region's major economic resource, mainly of rice. About 8.931 hectares of farmland have been damaged in these provinces, which provide much of the country's rice production, the Department of Agriculture said in a report on Tuesday. This includes 7.536 hectares of rice fields in four provinces, estimated at USD 351.731, and 855 hectares of corn fields, at USD 69.678, in another. Electricity was also cut for millions in large areas after yesterday's storm and floods destroyed many schools. Nearly 13,000 people were evacuated from the capital, Manila. In addition, the storm led to extensive flooding in neighboring regions as a result of water gathering in low lying areas.