Typhoon ‘Carina’ Beneficial to Ilocos Norte Farmers, Says Guv

Laoag City — Rains brought by tropical storm “Carina” over the weekend became beneficial to agriculture here, said Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.

“Overall, ‘yung bagyo ay nakabuti sa lahat dahil talagang napakakonti ng ulan ng Mayo, June at Hulyo, kaya’t tuwang-tuwa ‘yung karamihan ng farmers [Overall, the typhoon has been beneficial to the farmers because there was little to no rain during the months of May, June and July],” Marcos said.

Although some damages were reported, rice farmers are still fortunate because the crops are still at the tillering phase, she added.

Despite the onset of rainy season, the governor said the province still lacks water supply.

For the past few years, the average rainfall for the month of July has been 448 millimeters(mm). Even with the typhoon, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Resiliency Council only recorded 225.6mm as of July 31.

“It’s a very, very low amount, nangangalahati (lang) and previous to that, ‘yung June at ‘yung May under-rainfall din tayo. Talagang kulang na kulang tayo ng tubig [During the months of May and June, rainfall was below average and that’s why we lack water supply],” the governor added.

The province was placed under public storm signal number 1 on July 30 and was raised into signal number 2 in the morning of July 31. (PNA) JMC/LGA/JTP