Locusts swarm likely to affect crops in 17 districts of UP, authorities on alert

The Uttar Pradesh government has issued an alert after the locust swarm which travelled from Pakistan are likely to affect crops in 17 districts of the state.

These districts are Jhansi, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Agra, Aligarh, Mathura, Bulandshahr, Hathras, Etah, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etawah, Farrukhabad, Auraiya, Jalaun, Kanpur and Lalitpur.

In Jhansi district, close to the Madhya Pradesh border, locusts have already been spotted and have damaged crops which are worrying local farmers.Speaking to media, the deputy director agriculture Kamal Katiyar said “Farmers have been informed about this problem and we are making them aware about steps being taken to tackle the locust menace. Spraying of insecticides is being done in the farms. Fire brigade vehicles have been kept on standby with chemicals to tackle the situation if there is any sudden movement of locusts which destroys vegetation.”