JUMLA: A swarm of lucusts has reached Patarasi rural municipality of Jumla via Rukum, Jajarkot and Kalikot.

A large number of these insects have also reached most of the areas in Patarasi rural Municipality wards 1 and 2.

The Patarasi area to the east of the district is considered a pocket area for potatoes, maize and wheat crops. At this time, maize, potato and wheat are grown in the area.

The locusts that entered Patarasi have caused great damage to maize, wheat and potato fields, said Patarasi rural municipality chairman Lachhiman Bohora.

According to him, swarm of locusts can be seen everywhere. Crops have also been severely damaged. Farmers are worried as the ripening maize is being destroyed.

According to local Gorkha Bahadur Rawat, locusts have started appearing in large numbers. He said that they have caused great damage by entering the potato and maize fields.

“People play various instruments and scream to get rid of the locusts,” he said. “However, the locusts have not escaped from there.”

Jumla’s indigenous crops including apple, maize, and wheat have been damaged due to large number of locusts invasion.