Odisha’s Date With Locusts In July: Confirmation In 4-5 Days, Say Officials

Bhubaneswar: Odisha can expect swarms of locusts in July. Quoting the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, Agriculture Director M Muthukumar said on Monday that the probability of their arrival can be ascertained in 4-5 days. The movement of locusts in Madhya Pradesh has weakened due to control measures.

Chances of locust attack are high in Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh and Bargarh districts of Odisha, an official of the state government had said.

As per FAO, locusts that arrive in advance of the monsoon rains are likely to settle in cropping areas or continue eastwards to Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and perhaps as far east as Bihar and Odisha.

The locusts in the central northern states will oscillate east and westwards before returning to Rajasthan with the onset of the monsoon in early July. Swarm mobility will decline as they mature and lay eggs in Rajasthan. Early breeding could produce hopper bands by the end of the forecast period, said the report.

Also read: https://odishabytes.com/advisory-for-odisha-farmers-on-steps-to-drive-away-locust-swarms-from-farms/

https://odishabytes.com/odisha-govt-issues-sop-as-locust-swarm-enters-chhattisgarh/