SUKKUR, Sept 16 Large swarms of locust, approximately spread over 10 square kilometres, have been seen moving from the desert area of Khangarh to Ghotki district.

Locust are species that can breed rapidly, form bands and travel great distances, rapidly stripping fields and greatly damaging crops.

Ghotki EDO (agriculture) Riaz Ahmed Dayo said that the highly damaging insects might have come from Indian desert. According to area people, its swarms were spread over more than 10 square kilometres, he said.

He said that he had informed all quarters concerned about the likely onslaught of locust and teams of plant protection department had arrived in Ghotki. Mostly cotton and sugarcane crops were sown in the district and rice was also cultivated in some parts despite ban, which would be endangered, he said.

He said that a plane had been summoned to carry out aerial spray over the area. It would arrive tomorrow, he said.

He said that locust had proved very harmful for the crops and they did not spare trees and strip them of all their leaves. However, everything would be under control, he added.