Raging swarms of desert locust that is devastating crops in India may reach Sri Lanka due to the current wind patterns, the Department of Agriculture has warned.
“Winds blow to Sri Lanka from the South West corner. This covers some parts of India,” Additional Director at the Department of Agriculture Anura Wijetunga. In this regard, Sri Lanka is facing a threat of a probable attack.
Millions of desert locusts from Pakistan have wreaked havoc in nearly hundred districts in five states in India including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Indian media reports. Now districts from Delhi to Karnataka are on alert of an impending attack. According to Indian officials another swarm is expected to attack the country in mid-June.
The locust, that devours crops, usually spread via the wind. Pakistan declared a national emergency when the swarms attacked crops.
In a bid to aid the affected nations, the World Bank Group approved a US$500 million program in Africa and Middle East to fight the locust swarms that are threatening food security last week.