Tornado destroys P5-million agricultural crops in Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – An estimated P5 million worth of agricultural crops and a dozen of houses were destroyed when a “freak tornado” hit four villages in Tupi town in South Cotabato province Thursday.

The tornado, popularly known in Hiligaynon dialect here as “buhawi,” hit the barangays of Palian, Tubeng, Bolol Mala and Crossing Rubber, Janette Madronero, officer-in-charge of Tupi social welfare and development office, said yesterday.

Reports reaching The STAR, said that the tornado hit the villages past 4 p.m. during heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

Madronero said close to 20 hectares of lands, planted with papaya, banana, corn and other high-valued crops, were damaged as the tornado lashed through the said villages.

Madronero said the tornado also destroyed 12 houses, mostly located in a plain valley of the said villages.

Of the said 12 houses, three were totally damaged and nine were partially damaged.

No one was hurt or killed in the said freak weather incident, according to a report released by the Tupi police station yesterday.

Tupi, one of South Cotabato province’s booming municipality due to its large plantations of pineapple and banana, had been hit by tornadoes several times in the past years.

Madronero said the Tupi welfare and disaster desks have already distributed relief goods to the affected farmers. – Ramil Bajo