Locust alert in UP as swarms move past Raj, MP

May 26, 2020 21:47

At least 10 Uttar Pradesh districts were on alert Tuesday after swarms of locusts were spotted in Mahoba and Jhansi districts, moving into the state after attacking crops in neighbouring Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, officials said.

Locusts entered Rajasthan from Pakistan earlier this month, and then drifted into other parts of western India.

Desert locusts are a regular feature in the country but on a very small scale, a Union Environment Ministry official said.

"This attack is huge. It is a once in a three-decade situation and timed very badly for us as we are already dealing with coronavirus," said Soumitra Dasgupta, Inspector General, Wildlife.

"Local officials have been put on alert and asked to remain prepared with chemicals in tractor-mounted sprayers, power sprayers and fire brigade," an Uttar Pradesh government spokesman said.

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