KARACHI: The Met Office has said that a good progress is underway against the first generation of hopper groups and bands that have formed to a lesser degree in Tharparkar district in southern Sindh.

It said this is the result of more than 1,000 teams, 750 vehicles and nearly staff of involved in the ground control campaign. The risk of swarm migration to the summer breeding area has nearly subsided. However, substantial hatching and band formation are expected till early September and a second generation of summer breeding would start at the end of September, citing Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, Locust Watch, Aug 24.

It said that the monsoon rainfall is expected to remain near normal by 10 percent during July to September 2020 in Pakistan. Sindh and Kashmir are likely to receive moderately above normal by 20 percent rainfall during August and September.

Temperatures are expected to remain higher than the requisite criteria 35 degrees Celsius in most parts of the lower half of the country. Higher temperatures may decrease the lifetime of Locust (below 6 months) and their activities may also be affected. Generally, winds are expected to prevail over South-Westerly in lowland areas especially over the Sindh province (the vulnerable areas). These winds would push them away towards Indian side.

Apart from projected higher temperatures and wind patterns, higher rains would provide a favorable environment for Locust breeding during the monsoon season.

Widespread and appropriate insecticides spray using aero planes/helicopters or special vehicles in the affected areas, is the recommended solution to control the further spread of locust, the Met said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020