Locust swarm reaches central UP, damages crops in Lko, Sitapur

LUCKNOW : A swarm of locusts reached central UP on Sunday, causing damage to crops in Unnao, Sitapur, Barabanki and Lucknow districts. In Lucknow , the locusts were first reported in the western part from where they moved towards residential areas in the city. Lucknow district administration sprung into action to scare them away.

“A very large swarm of locusts entered Lucknow from nearby Unnao. The swarm was spread across four square kilometres. It fragmanted into smaller swarms and later crossed into Barabanki,” said Manish Bansal, chief development officer ( CDO) of Lucknow. “We deployed large sound systems atop vehicles in the area where the locusts were reported, to scare them away,” he added. Fire tenders filled with chemical sprays were also rushed to some areas on the outskirts of the city where locust were reported to be settling

down. Locust swarms were reported in villages under Kakori area along with many parts of the city, including Indiranagar, Thakurganj, Aliganj and Dubagga. Police patrolled the area in their vehicles with their sirens on.

As per forest department officials, the swarms comprised both developing ‘pink’ locusts and developed ‘yellow’ ones. The locusts are believed to have remained in Lucknow for around four hours. “The officials concerned

have been directed to review the damage caused by the locusts. We are also on the alert to handle any more swarms,” said Bansal. Hours before the locust swarm reached Lucknow, it caused damage to crops in Sitapur district bordering Lucknow. The locust swarm reach Sitapur on Sunday morning and caused damage to paddy farms, government officials said. Other districts in central and east UP have also been put on alert.