Inday, ‘habagat’ leave P885M in farm losses across BARMM

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines, Damage to agriculture in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) caused by Super Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi) and the enhanced southwest monsoon, known locally as “habagat,” has reached nearly P885 million, according to Muhammad Farzieh Abutazil, executive director of the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi). The figure, as of Sunday, included losses totaling P876,960,429, with the mainland provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur suffering the worst impact. The region also encompasses the island provinces of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. Typhoon Inday entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on July 8 and exited on July 11, enhancing the southwest monsoon and triggering several days of torrential rain that flooded farming communities throughout mainland BARMM. Photos shared by Bangsamoro READi depicted fields submerged under water, with crops such as palay, corn, coconut and others being heavily damaged. While a detailed breakdown of specific crop losses has not yet been released, the scale of destruction indicates widespread devastation. According to a report from the Bangsamoro Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform, the poultry sector alone suffered approximately P5 million in losses, while the fisheries sector faced damages estimated at around P500,000. Infrastructure damage, including to roads, bridges and government buildings, was initially assessed at P4.1 million. Among the most severely impacted locations was Northern Kabuntalan in Maguindanao del Norte, where floodwaters submerged the municipal government center and town hall complex for about three consecutive days. Evacuation efforts continue as of Sunday, with 3,225 families remaining in 22 temporary shelters located in the municipalities of Parang, Sultan Mastura, Matanog and Northern Kabuntalan in Maguindanao del Norte; Datu Piang and Mamasapano in Maguindanao del Sur; and Picong in Lanao del Sur. Overall, the combined effects of Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon have affected 127,960 families, or roughly 639,800 individuals, spread across 415 barangays within BARMM. The death toll in the region stands at seven, with four people injured and six still missing following a landslide that hit Barangay Ngingir in Calanogas, Lanao del Sur, early on July 10. Search operations for the missing individuals are ongoing, according to Abutazil. Across Mindanao, at least 24 people lost their lives due to the typhoon’s impact, as per data compiled by the Philippine Daily Inquirer from official government reports.