LAYYAH: Now, the swarms of locusts have landed in Layyah and Pakpattan districts, threatening lush green farms and vegetation in the riverine belt of the district.

The fast moving brigades are hovering over riverine union councils of Kot Sultan, Jhakkhar, Lohanch Nashaib, Sahuwala and Warrah Sehran. Infected areas by the locusts include Lohanch Nashaib, Samtia Nashaib, Kunal Nashaib, Sheenhwala, Rakhwan and Warrah Seheran.

Local residents are trying to repel the swarms through drum beating and by creating fumes of smoke.

Deputy Director of Agriculture Fareed Jadwal maintained that the agriculture department started an awareness campaign about the onslaught in December last.

“The locusts will not cause more harm to the crops as the weather is colder here and the local residents have repelled them using chemicals and traditional methods,” Mr Jadwal added.

Former federal minister Bahadur Ali Khan Sehar strongly criticized the conduct of the agriculture department, saying their performance was good in papers otherwise locals were tackling the attack on a self help basis.

SAHIWAL: Locusts can be seen in villages and city of Arifwala. Localities of Blara, Arjanka, Bara Lakhoka, Bara Dilawar, Chak Jaman Shah, Chak Bali Dalawar, Hasanka, Chak Bait Batiyain, Basti Muhammad Shah Kharal and Village 34/KB and 38/KB are under the attack.

The swarm has destroyed hundreds of acres of vegetables and wheat.

Also, swarms can be been in M Block and near Baghdadi Masjid localities.

Mian Riaz, Agriculture deputy director with Arifwala Assistant Commissioner Rana Aftab visited the villages. Agriculture extension staff are also guiding growers on pesticides.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2020