Already stressed with the dwindling economy due to the coronavirus crises, millions of swarming locusts ravaging crops is the worst nightmare farmers could have possibly had. But, it has turned out to be true. Farmers in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat & Maharashtra are in the midst of the worst locust attack in the last 27 years. The locusts, which arrived into Rajasthan from Pakistan, have affected thousands of farmers in several states in northern & central India. The Delhi government on May 28 warned of a possible locust invasion. Overnight operations were carried out by authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi district. In Madhya Pradesh, police used sirens and urged farmers to beat utensils. In Maharashtra, the Vidarbha region has seen significant crop damage due to the locust attack. Swarms of locusts have attacked orange crop & vegetable fields in some areas of Nagpur and Wardha districts. After reports of locust attack in Mumbai, BMC officials clarified that no locust swarm was found in Mumbai. At least seven districts in Haryana are also on high alert. Odisha government too has issued guidelines for farmers in the state. In worst-hit Rajasthan, about 90,000 hectares in 20 districts of Rajasthan have been affected. Crops spread over 4,000 hectares have been destroyed in Sri Ganganagar district alone. Locusts, which can cover up to 150 km a day, can eat more than its body weight. A one square kilometer of locust swarm containing around 4 crore locusts can eat as much food as 35,000 people in a day.
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