New Delhi: The locust swarms threatening crops in many states amid the coronavirus crisis have now reached the doors of the national capital.
The locusts swarming areas in Haryana, bordering Delhi, could overrun the capital city any time, an official said on Saturday.
Dr K L Gurjar , Deputy Director, Directorate of Vegetation Conservation, Quarantine and Collection, told IANS that the locusts had reached Haryana for the first time on Friday night and there was an outbreak in areas around Delhi.
He pointed out that the locust swarms are moving towards Palwal in Haryana and could move towards Delhi since they travel in the direction of the wind. Locust swarms can be seen in Gurugram and Rewari in Haryana.
People have been directed to keep their doors and windows closed and cover outdoor plants with plastic sheets. The District Magistrates have also been asked to be on high alert.
"District Magistrates are advised to deploy the adequate staff to make all possible arrangements for guiding the residents to distract the locusts," the advisory by agriculture joint director A.P. Saini stated. The government said that they can be distracted by way of making high decibel sound through beating of drum utensils, playing high volume music on music systems, firing crackers and burning of neem leaves.
The locust swarms are widespread in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh at this time, while smaller swarms have reached Rohtas in Bihar and Varanasi and Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh.
According to a Union Agriculture ministry report 84 districts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, spread over an area of 114,026 hectares, have been in the grip of locusts till June 21, 2020.
For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App.
Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
India deploys more troops in Eastern Ladakh as China sets up new camps
Uncertainty over CBSE 12th exam 2020 cleared, but anxieties, tension remain
Also Read
Clarify how Class 12th students will be assessed: SC to CBSE
NEET, JEE July 2020 exams most likely to be deferred
UP Inter Toppers 2020: Anurag Malik, Pranjal Singh secure 1st, 2nd ranks
UP 10th Toppers 2020: Ria Jain, Abhimanyu Verma secure 1st, 2nd ranks
Supriya Sule, Tharoor among 10 MPs selected for Sansad Ratna Award 2020
Now, Bhutan hassles India
#SpeakUpForOurJawans: Maha Congress campaign slams Centre on India-China border issue
Amid boycott call, Apparel industry urges Centre to clear imports from China
Student writing Karnataka SSLC Exam 2020 falls ill, rushed to hospital
India adds over 17K Covid-19 patients in last 24 hrs, toll nears 5L mark
Maharashtra notches new high of Covid-19 cases, MMR deaths cross 5K
'Unbelievable, Shocking': Veterans, Twitter erupt as Modi denies intrusion by China
Modi denies intrusion by China, Sonia wants seized territories back
PMO clarifies Modi's statement on Galwan stand-off made at all party meet