NEW DELHI: Like Cyclone Amphan, the “worst locust outbreak seen in a quarter of a century” in India is yet another example of global warming, say agricultural and environmental experts while slamming the government for its unpreparedness and slow response to the situation, despite a timely warning by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
After damaging crops in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, swarms of locusts entered Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district on Wednesday and could head towards Maharashtra. Punjab has also been put on alert.
“Climate change is facilitating breeding and movement of locusts. Untimely rains and increased cyclonic activity have helped them breed faster. A locust attack never occurred in December but there was one in 2019,” says agricultural expert Devinder Sharma.
Environmentalist Soumya Dutta says the “extremely severe cyclone” Amphan and the “biggest in a quarter century locust swarm threatening Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and MP” are some of the climate change-driven disasters. “Even though the UN had forewarned, preparations by India fell short,” adds Dutta.