Six States On High Alert As Govt Warns Of More Locust Attack; Helicopters Pressed Into Service

Government has warned of the likelihood of more attacks by crop-eating locust swarms, even as six States are presently witnessing continued operations to control the infestation, reports Hindustan Times.

The six States which are on high alert are Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. However, it should be noted that as per the status report till 3 July, there has only been 'minor crop losses'.

Presently, immature pink locusts and adult yellow locusts are actively causing damage to crops in areas like Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Sikar, Jaipur and Alwar of Rajasthan, and also in Tikamgarh of Madhya Pradesh.

In response to the situation, the Government has already carried out control operations in 1,32,777 hectares of the six States while State Governments have also carried out containment in another 1,13,003 hectares.

The Governments have roped in technology firms and are carrying out drone operations across large landscapes to control the situation and minimise the damage.

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said on Sunday (5 July) that a new dimension has been added by using helicopters in the locust control operations.

According to information, helicopters were used to spray chemicals in the 65 RD Banda area of Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, for the first time on Saturday to control the insect swarms.