KOHAT: Locusts have entered Kohat from the neighbouring Orakzai tribal district, attacking wheat crop and guava orchards in Mian Garhi, Mitha Khan and Muhammadzai areas.

Director agriculture Zahirullah Khattak confirmed that locusts had entered Kohat, but said teams would leave for the affected areas early on Wednesday to carry out spray.

He said last week locusts struck miles of area in Mishti Shiekhan, Chappri, Mir Asghar Mela, Landi Kachai in Orakzai, where teams were called to help kill them.

He said due to mountainous terrain locusts could not be eliminated effectively.

Mr Khattak said teams in each district were helping thwart the locust attacks.

He said during rain the locusts sat on the ground and that was the time to eliminate them through spray, but once it was sunshine they flew in the air and were hard to kill.

He said in case of rain locusts could remain alive for 20 days without eating anything.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2020