Locust attacks pose an "unprecedented" threat to the country's food security with the livelihood of farmers, as migration of the insects has started from spring breeding areas into Indo-Pak border parts, the Met Office said on Thursday.
It said that the present situation continues to represent an "unprecedented" threat to food security and livelihoods in Pakistan. In addition, the Indo-Pakistan border area faces an impending invasion from spring breeding areas.
Migration of locust, it said, from the spring breeding areas in Balochistan has commenced, and several immature adult groups and swarms have appeared since April 2020 in lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Thal desert, south Punjab and Thar desert.
Control operations continue in all regions but an increased monitoring and reporting are required in desert areas along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border, it said citing the Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations, Locust Watch, 8 May 2020.
Tropical type weather is the most favourable for locust growth. Deserts with cool nights and warms days provide an advantageous environment for the growth of locust.
Based on the present run of climate models, above-normal rainfall is most likely over the south-eastern part (Sindh province and surrounding area) while below normal rainfall over Gilgit-Baltistan and adjoining areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Normal rainfall is likely in rest of the country.
The expected warmer and more humid condition in the coming monsoon season may provide a favourable environment for Locust in Sindh, adjoining areas of Balochistan and Punjab as well as lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it said.
The Met said that a widespread and appropriate insecticides spray using airplanes and helicopters or special vehicles in the affected areas is the only solution to control the spread of locust.
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