Locust invasion again in Pyuthan

Kathmandu - The locust invasion has occurred again in the district. Swarms of locusts can be seen in almost all parts of the district. The people in the district began scaring locusts by beating plate and tin to save the maize crops. However, the farmers are worried much after their attempts to scare vermin is not that effective. They also applied smoke making fire in the maize fields but in vain.

Bhoj Bahadur Basnet from Pyuthan Municipality-1 said they were not able to chase away the locusts come in number of hundreds of thousands. Rice, maize and vegetables are damaged by it. "The crops are almost blanketed by the locusts. Our efforts failed to save the crops," he shared the plight.

All 10 wards of Pyuthann Municipality have witnessed the locust invasion. Officiating Chief of Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project Implementation Unit (Rice Zone) in the district, Suman Khanal, said every village in the district saw the locust invasion. The vermin spotted second time at Bangeshal of Sarumarani Rural Municiplity-1 was spread to other villages on Monday.

Naubahini, Airawati, Gaumukhi, Sarumarani, Mandabi and Bhimruk Rural Municipality suffered worst in the locust attack, Khanal added. The people in the district have been worried over possible shortage of foods after the locust damaged millet and maize crops amid COVID-19 lockdown. They demanded the government that it provided relief materials to the farmers after ascertaining the loss.