DAMAGE brought by recent heavy rains and flooding in Negros Occidental associated with Tropical Depression Auring has surged to almost P7.3 million, latest report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) showed.

The figure covers 414.50 hectares of farms and other production areas, affecting 532 farmers and fisherfolk in three local government units (LGUs).

These are the cities of Himamaylan, La Carlota and San Carlos.

The province's rice sector incurred the biggest damage and production losses amounting to almost P6.94 million.

It was followed by the fishery sector, particularly bangus production, at P325,334.

As of January 24, OPA recorded 527 affected rice farmers with a total area of 351.98 hectares.

For fisheries, five fisherfolk with 21.20 hectares of fishponds incurred damage and losses, it added.

Assessment and validation in other LGUs are ongoing, OPA said. (EPN)