In recent days, rains and hail in the Spanish region of Murcia have caused losses worth 48 million euros, according to a report drawn up by technicians of the regional Council of Water, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
A total of 7,583 hectares have been affected. Cieza and Calasparra are the most affected municipalities, with damages to fruit, almonds and olive trees, as well as livestock farms," says regional Councilor Sara Rubira. "This represents a new setback for our agricultural producers and livestock farmers."
The Councilor pointed out that "unfortunately, the long-awaited rains have also been accompanied by hail and torrential rainfall, which have had a severe impact on the course of the horticultural campaign, the stone fruit harvesting and even on rainfed plantations."
"Once we have completed the final damage assessment, the Government of the Region of Murcia will start the procedures for the Government of Spain to declare the affected areas a disaster area. This will allow agricultural producers and livestock farmers to receive aid that should alleviate the situation they are going through," says Rubira.
Damage by regions
In the Altiplano, Jumilla and Yecla regions, the rains have hit 470 hectares of apricots, almonds, peaches, nectarines, olives, pears and vineyards, with losses worth 1,106,831 euros.
In the Noroeste region, the municipalities of Bullas, Cehegín and Moratalla have been hit. There are damages on 421 hectares of chards, apricots, almonds, broccoli, plums, lettuce, peaches, melons, nectarines and olive trees, with losses worth 3,931,637 euros.
In Río Mula, the most affected municipalities have been Albudeite, Campos del Río, Mula and Pliego. 1,832 hectares of apricots, almonds, lemons, mandarins, peaches, oranges, nectarines and olive trees have been hit, with losses worth a total of 4,038,869 euros.
In the Vega Alta region, the municipalities of Calasparra and Cieza have been affected, specifically 4,860 hectares devoted to apricots, almonds, peaches, nectarines and olive trees, with losses totaling 38,842,254 euros.
Source: www.carm.es