Tropical Storm “Leon” (International name: Kong-rey) slightly gained strength on Sunday afternoon, as its maximum sustained winds increased to 75 kph from 65 kph.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that Super Tropical Storm “Kristine” has caused P3.11 billion in damage to agriculture as of Sunday.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Leon’s gustiness also went up to 90 kph from the previous 80 kph.

As of Sunday afternoon, Leon was located 1,000 kilometers east of Central Luzon as its movement slowed down to 20 kph from the previously reported 30 kph.

PAGASA said that Leon is forecast to gradually strengthen within 24 hours and become a severe tropical storm on Monday and a typhoon on Tuesday.

“This tropical cyclone may also undergo rapid intensification,” added the weather bureau.

As of Sunday afternoon, however, Leon was still far from Philippie landmass and is seen moving generally northwest from Monday to Tuesday, then north northwest on Wednesday and Thursday.

DAMAGE TO AGRICULTURE

As Kristine exited the Philippines Area of Responsibility, it left P3.11 billion in damage to the country’s agriculture sector, according to the DA on Sunday.

The DA said that the majority of the agricultural loss is on rice or 152,440 metric tons (MT) while other agricultural commodities affected are corn with 1,461 MT, cassava with 126 MT, and high value crops with 6,014 MT, among others.

Also, 2,862 farm animal were lost and damage to irrigation facilities reached P26 million.

To initially assist farmers affected by Kristine, the DA is ready to distributed P541.02 million worth of agricultural inputs.

(PHOTO FROM PNA)