IN the Northern Marianas, Rota bore the wrath of typhoon Chataan, with estimated initial damages to agriculture, government and private properties amounting to more than $1 million.
No deaths or typhoon-related injuries were reported, Senate President Paul A. Manglona said yesterday.
“There is an on-going assessment of damages. We are confident that we will find ways to assist those affected,” Manglona, R-Rota, told Variety.
Acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente and other key officials flew to Rota Saturday to personally assess the damages on the island.
Land and Natural Resources Resident Director Ben Atalig said close to $1 million in agricultural products and plantations were destroyed by Chataan, which uprooted newly planted and ready to harvest products while flooding several plantations.
Manglona said it was still “difficult” to conduct an assessment as other farmers had not filed their reports.
He said several residents depend on farming for their livelihood.
Atalig is expected to come up with an updated assessment today.
Damages to government properties were “considerable,” Manglona said.
The East Harbor of Rota was “totally damaged.” It will cost the government about $100,000 to restore the facility which was washed down by large ocean swells and strong winds from Thursday night to Friday morning.
The ponding basin, a facility near Songsong, was also destroyed, with damages estimated to be about $100,000.
Debris from the basin temporarily clogged the village road.
Rota’s Route 100 was completely impassable until yesterday. Large trees were uprooted by the typhoon winds, blocking the 10-mile road, while heavy downpour caused erosion in some portions of the unpaved coral road.
Close to 20 families from Songsong were evacuated Thursday night. They moved to the emergency shelters at Songsong High School, while those from Sinapalo sought refuge at the Sinapalo Manamko’ Center.
They returned to their homes Friday evening.
Sen. Ricardo S. Atalig, the Republican chairman of the island’s legislative delegation, said the coastline was “really bad.”
“The waves were about 30 to 50 feet high,” Atalig said.
“But I am confident that our leaders will respond to the unfortunate situation of our farmers,” he said.
