At least 26.5 hectares of veggie farms affected by Benguet hailstorm

LA TRINIDAD, Philippines — A hailstorm caused at least P2.5 million in damage to crops in Atok, Benguet over the weekend, according to an initial assessment by local authorities. 

According to Atok town agriculturist Cherry Sano, at least 26.5 hectares of farmlands, mostly growing potatoes and cabbage, were damaged in Paoay in Atok.

The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera high-value crops development program conducted a pre-assessment evaluation on the farms in Paoay while the Atok town agriculture office conducted an official on-site data collection of the total affected farms, the specific crops damaged and the areas affected.

Benguet Federation Marketing Cooperative general manager Augusta Balanoy indicated that most of the damage was to potatoes, carrots, Chinese cabbage and cabbage in Paoay and a portion of Cattubo, also in Atok.

According to the state-run Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, hail is formed when water vapor in the air freezes. When the hail becomes too heavy, a hailstorm happens. 

Pagasa says hailstones falls at a speed of more than 100 kilometers per hour.