Delhi government issues advisory in view of possible locust attack

According to experts, broadly four species of locusts are found in India – desert locust, migratory locust, Bombay locust and tree locust.

The rose-colored locusts turn whole trees pink, clinging to branches like quivering ornaments before taking off in hungry, rustling clouds. (Photo | AP)

NEW DELHI: With locust swarms wreaking havoc in several states, Delhi too sounded an alert on Thursday with the government issuing an advisory for spraying pesticides on crops and vegetation.

“Alerts and directions have been sent to the revenue commissioners, DMs and MCD commissioners regarding the matter,” said Agriculture Minister Gopal Rai, adding that the agriculture department will run awareness programmes, especially for farmers.

“Not only the agriculture sector but also the horticulture sector (crops, vegetation, plants, gardens, orchard etc) gets affected by the locust attack... The officials have been instructed to work proactively to ensure Delhi’s preparedness to deal with locust attack,” Rai said.

A circular advised the authorities concerned to spray insecticides or pesticides during the night as the locust swarms usually fly during daytime and rest at night. It asked the authorities to carry out spraying of chlorpyrifos and malathion.

India is battling the worst desert locust attack with the swarms causing massive damage to crops in Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan. They have now moved to MP.