India is facing the third disaster within the second quarter of 2020. The crisis seems far from over for India, amidst corona epidemic, ravaging super storm cyclone Amphan, and scorching heatwave, farmers in India are battling unexpected locust attack. The threat of the desert locust, a species of swarming short-horned grasshopper, is looming large across several states in India. It has already affected 100 districts across five states – Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra and UP, Rajasthan being the worst hit where 90,000 hectares of land have been affected. Stretching 15 kilometres in length with the capacity of flying 150 km in a day, locusts can devour food of approximately 35000 people in a day. With the possibility of locusts entering other states, authorities have issued guidelines for farmers to take various steps to prevent attacks. UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has warned that locusts could enter states as far as Odisha and Bihar in the coming weeks.
The further movement of the swarm will depend on the wind direction.
India witnessed locust attack in 1962 with surges in 1978 and 1993.
If not controlled in time, India will face severe food security issues in the coming days. Destruction of crops due to the on going locust attack can lead to food crisis
Not just India, Africa, Iran, Pakistan are also facing the worst locust attack in decades.
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