Locust Swarm Attacks Prayagraj, Video Of Terrifying One-Kilometre-Long Swarm Goes Viral
After Jhansi in Bundelkhand, some areas of Prayagraj became the next targets of locust attacks. Swarms of locusts attacked various villages in the Koraon and Meja areas, though no major loss of the crop was reported.
After wreaking havoc in different states, swarms of locusts have entered new places and started attacking crops. Fresh locust attacks have been reported from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Nagpur in Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Reuters
Areas of Prayagraj faced a locust attack that began on Tuesday night and continued through Wednesday. Swarms of locusts attacked various villages in the Koraon and Meja areas, though no major loss of crops was reported.
The locusts were wreaking havoc in the villages of the Karchana block on Wednesday night. Almost all the vegetable farms were emptied by the locusts.
According to sources, the swarm is around three kilometres wide and one kilometre long.The locusts arrived in Prayagraj from the Mirzapur district, before which they were spotted in several villages of Singrauli and Sonbhadra districts between Monday and Tuesday.
@dmfatehpur sir what is our plan to get rid of this as locust already reach Prayagraj..
¡ª Guru.com (@youngIndia91) June 11, 2020
Vedio credit-ani pic.twitter.com/MAOf6ZYKtb
The district administration swung into action and chemicals were being sprayed across the fields with the help of fire tenders, claim reports. Villagers have also been creating loud sounds with utensils and drums to drive the insects away. Some even used crackers to create noise.
Chief development officer (Prayagraj) Ashish Kumar said, "District officials, village heads and block-level teams had been trained and briefed about what they had to do in case of a probable attack by locusts. As no major crops have yet been planted, no major damage has been reported barring a few patches of vegetable crops. We are keeping a watch on the situation and have a buffer stock of chemicals."
Locust attack in Prayagraj pic.twitter.com/OrJRdpst8S
¡ª CS Ayush Sinha (@simpleyetmodern) June 11, 2020
All neighbouring districts have also been alerted. Sub-divisional magistrate (Karchana) Akansha Rana said, "We are trying our best to chase away the locusts for which fields are being sprayed with chemicals and loud music is being played in open fields."
Several villages, including Dharwara, Madeni Singh ka Pura, Tala, Hathsara and Lohandi have been affected by these insects.
Block Development Officer (BDO) of the area, Rama Shankar, said, "We pressed three fire tenders into service and have roped in additional vehicles, courtesy local residents, to spray chemicals in fields. Most of the locusts have flown away."
Today locust attacked my city prayagraj @1SH4N @PrayagrajWale @AgentSaffron @rishibagree @ippatel @ishkarnBHANDARI pic.twitter.com/bHL4baERU4
¡ª Agniveer Hum Bhi Dekhenge! (@torchbearer123) June 11, 2020
According to Locust Warning Organisation deputy director KL Gurjar, the wind direction has been favourable for pests to move towards farmlands adjoining forests in Nagpur.
Locust attack in Prayagraj District@anjanaomkashyap @SwetaSinghAT @sardanarohit @aajtak pic.twitter.com/v5FjgIpr8t
¡ª Ashutosh Mittal (@icaashu) June 11, 2020
In Rajasthan, the government decided to send agriculture officers to various districts to ascertain the damage caused to crops by locust swarm. The officials have also been asked to prepare for the next round of locust attacks expected by July 15.
All Inputs ANI
