Locusts likely to arrive in Nepal yet again

KATHMANDU: Swarms of locusts are likely to arrive in Nepal yet again.

The swarms of locusts that had entered Nepal on June 29 had damaged crops in different districts of the country, but died due to unfavorable weather.

However, the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center has warned that locusts may come from India again.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there are currently two swarms of locusts in the Auraiya region between Kanpur and Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, India. The group is said to have spread over an area of 150 hectares.

“The swarms are projected to enter Dhanusha, Mahottari and Sarlahi areas of Nepal via Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga areas east of Varanasi along with the wind,” the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center said in a statement on Saturday.

According to the Center, many herds in different parts of Rajasthan, India are also expected to move towards New Delhi, Moradabad, Bareilly and Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Generally, locusts do not migrate when it is raining or at night.

However, the swarms of locusts seen in India are estimated to be seen in Dhanusha, Mahottari and Sarlahi within a day or two.

Similarly, locusts are likely to enter Nepal from the far west and south and west of Province 5 in the next two to three days.

“All concerned are requested to monitor the situation and take necessary precautions,” the statement said.

There are five swarms of locusts in about 400 hectares in the Sikar region of Rajasthan, India. The group is expected to move towards Sahajahanpur and Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh in the east through Churu in Rajasthan.

“In favorable weather conditions, these maturing herds, which have to move to the desert (west) of Rajasthan, are likely to move eastwards with the wind,” the center said in a statement.

The center has stated that forecasting and monitoring work is being done in collaboration with the Department of Water and Meteorology.