As Delhi Braces For Locust Swarm Attack, Government Issues Advisory To Prevent The Menace

India is in the grip of the worst locust attack in the country in nearly three decades and several north Indian states have already been invaded by the locust swarms or are preparing for it. With neighbouring states already reporting locust attacks, Delhi too is preparing for the invasion.

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On Thursday, the Delhi government issued an advisory for spraying pesticides, cabinet Minister Gopal Rai said to prevent possible attacks. Rai said in view of the increasing threat of locusts in north India, the Agriculture Department of the Delhi government will run awareness programmes to make the people and farmers of Delhi aware of this new threat.

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"Also, the Delhi Government has issued advisory on spraying pesticides and its quantity," Rai tweeted. The circular was issued in order to prevent a probable attack in Delhi by a swarm of locusts, which are reportedly present in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

"All concerned authorities are hereby advised to take preventive measures to control and eradicate the locusts to avoid devastating effect on standing agricultural and horticultural crops, vegetation, plants, gardens, orchard etc. in Delhi," the circular said.

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It directed that awareness programmes be organised for the public and farmers to prevent and control any such invasion by locusts in Delhi. "As the swarm usually fly in day time, and rest during night time therefore the locusts should not be allowed to rest especially during night," it said.

The circular added that the authorities may carry out spraying of insecticides or pesticides during the night. The chemicals suggested for spraying were Malathion 50% EC; Malathion 25% WP; Chlorpyrifos 20 % EC; and Chlorpyrifos 50 % EC.

The locust swarm are present in the neighbouring states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. In Rajasthan, one of the worst-hit states, about 90,000 hectares in 20 districts have been affected due to the locust attack.

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Swarms of locust have moved from Sri Ganganagar, Nagaur, Jaipur, Dausa, Karauli and Swai Madhopur towards other areas in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh after the authorities conducted operations to tackle them. Crop over 4,000 hectares in Sri Ganganagar and 100 hectares in Nagaur have been destroyed.

Around 90,000 hectares in 20 districts have been affected in the state due to the locust attack, said Om Prakash, Commissioner of the Agriculture Department. He said the department carried out locust control operations on 67,000 hectares.

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Swarms of locust can travel up to 150 km a day with a speed of 15-20 km per hour and since there is no standing crop in the fields, they are targeting trees and other available vegetation, the official said. He said the non-availability of standing crops is the reason behind their movement from Pakistan to India.