As if the rising inflation has not hit Filipinos hard enough, monsoon rains worsened by typhoon "Hanna" resulted in at least P1 billion in agricultural losses and P130 million in infrastructure damage.

"Hanna" yesterday left the Philippine area of responsibility, but not before forcing the cancellation of classes in some Metro Manila cities and Northern Luzon municipalities.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the rains affected a total of 514,153 people from 140,101 families. At least two people were reported dead from the calamity.

The NDRRMC said at least 502 houses were damaged in the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas and the Cordillera Autonomous Region.

As of press time, 24 roads and nine bridges remained closed to vehicular traffic with three areas still reeling from the loss of electricity, while one still had no water supply.

Seventy-nine seaports canceled operations in Cagayan Valley, MIMAROPA and Western Visayas on Monday, stranding dozens of passengers. Authorities said all affected domestic flight routes had resumed travel.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture reported that crop and other agricultural product damage and losses totaled P1.07 billion, up from P898.4 million in the previous days.

Taiwan, China

The DA recorded production losses of 46,811 metric tons, affecting 42,333 hectares of agricultural land and 31,060 farmers. Rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry were among the commodities affected.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, "Hanna" will continue to strengthen the southwest monsoon, or habagat, in the next three days, while outside the PAR.

"Hanna" will slowly move west-northwestward over the Taiwan Strait while gradually weakening. It is forecast to make landfall over the coast of Guangdong or Fujian, China tomorrow morning or afternoon as a severe tropical storm.

PAGASA said rapid weakening will ensue as the tropical cyclone moves further inland over Guangdong late Wednesday or Thursday.

The center of Hanna's eye was 360 kilometers northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, outside the PAR. It packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 165 kph while moving north-northwestward at 15 kph.