Telangana Locusts Fear: Experts Committee Conducts Aerial Survey

ADILABAD: A five-member state-level committee appointed by the government carried out an aerial survey to inspect the situation of locusts in erstwhile Adilabad district on Sunday. They flew along Telangana and Maharashtra borders to check the possibility of entry of locust swarms into Telangana.

Speaking to media persons after an aerial survey, the committee members said that they had assessed the terrain and identified possible places where the locusts could enter the state. They also said that there will be no threat to Telangana as the locusts have changed the direction.

The committee comprising Dr SJ Rahman, principal scientist and entomologist of Prof Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University, Dr. R Sunitha of CIPM, Warangal CCF MJ Akbar, Mancherial Collector Bharati Hollikeri and Ramagundam Police Commissioner V Satyanarayana.

Dr RJ Rahman said the government was taking stock of the situation of locust swarms. He urged the farmers no to believe in rumours being spread on social media platforms. An action plan has been chalked out to tackle the invasions of locust swarms, he said.

Even if locusts changed their direction, there is a possibility of entering into the state along with Indravathi since the river enters into Telangana near Dammur in Jayashankar-Bhupalapalli district. If it happened, 24 villages in the district would be affected by locusts, team members reportedly predicted.

Besides 1,500 litres of different types of chemicals, fire engines, jetting machines, sprayers are kept ready. Moreover, fire department officials have also been alerted by the government.