Madhya Pradesh fights biggest locust attack in 27 years, UP on alert

With India already battling the COVID-19 pandemic, a new crisis that has now arisen is that of a locust attack. A swarm of crop-eating locusts has entered the country, and been wreaking havoc, posing a massive threat for the agricultural economy of the country.

The locust swarm has already invaded several states including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The locust attack, which officials in Madhya Pradesh say is the biggest the state has witnessed in 27 years, is likely to grow till the monsoon season, NDTV reported.

Rajasthan, one of the early victims of the locust attack, has suffered destruction of crops and trees. Now, it has entered Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan’s constituency Budhni in Sehore, the report said. The swarm of locust are now close to Bhopal, it added.

The farmers in the affected districts have been advised to keep strict vigil on the movement of the locusts, and use loud sounds to keep the pests away. The state agricultural department officials said the locusts might halt between 7 pm and 9 pm for rest, the report added.

Related news: Pakistan declares national emergency to battle locusts

The standing moong crop of around ₹8,000 crore are at a risk of being destroyed by the locusts if they are not controlled soon, the report said quoting experts. Besides, the insects can also travel long distances and destroy fruits, vegetables, cotton and chilly crops worth several thousand crores.

Four teams of the Madhya Pradesh state agricultural department along with four central teams are battling the locust attack with chemical sprays, the report said. However, the insects have caused minimal damage so far as there are no crops in the state at this time of the year, reported The Hindu.

Meanwhile, the Jhansi administration in Uttar Pradesh has directed fire brigade to keep its vehicle ready with chemicals to tackle the locust attack. On Saturday, the swarm was at Bangra Magarpur. Deputy Director (Agriculture) Kamal Katiyar had said spraying of insecticides was to be done in the night.

District Magistrate Andra Vamsi, who had chaired a meeting in this regard, said that the villagers and the common public have been told to inform control room about the movement of the locusts. A team has come from Kota in Rajasthan to tackle the locusts, added Katiyar.

(With inputs from agencies)