Cold weather takes toll on Cebu crops, livestock

CEBU CITY—The cold weather has taken a toll on crops and livestock in five mountain villages in Cebu City and three others in Balamban town, Cebu.

At least 40 cows were reported dead in the villages of Tagbao, Sudlon Uno and Sudlon Dos in Cebu City and Gaas, Sunog and Lamesa in Balamban, 63.9 kilometers northwest of this city.

The cold weather also affected vegetable farms in the mountain villages of Tabunan and Lusaran in Cebu City, according to the city agriculturist’s office.

The Cebu provincial veterinary office reported that 30 cows are dead in Cebu City and 10 in Balamban.

William Genel, village chief of Gaas in Balamban, said seven cows and a carabao suffered severe chills locally called “puwang,” a condition that debilitates animals.

Cebu has been experiencing cold weather since the first week of January due to winter winds from China and Siberia.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) based on Mactan Island, the coldest temperature was recorded around  4 a.m. on Tuesday at 21.8 degrees Celsius.

On Monday, the temperature was 23 degrees Celsius. The previous coldest temperature recorded in Mactan was 19.2 degrees Celsius in January 1997.

Oscar Tabada, chief of Pagasa in the Visayas, said the temperature in the mountain areas could be lower.

The cold snap will last until the second week of February, he said.

Joselito Baclayon, city agriculturist, said 15 mountain villages in Cebu City were adversely affected by the cold weather.