By Basanta Parajuli/Laxman Paudel, Narayangadh/Bhairahawa, June 28:  The swarm of locusts which made their way into Nepal via Indian State of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh has affected the crops in Chitwan as well.

According to Krishi Gyan Kendra, Bharatpur, farmers have started complaining about the damage caused in their fields by locusts, which came in a flock of thousands.

“Complaints related to crops destroyed by locusts have been lodged from Kalika Municipality and Khairahani Municipality. These insects mostly feed on green crops and destroy them within minutes as they arrive in a group of thousands,” said Rajan Dhakal, chief of Krishi Gyan Kendra, Bharatpur.

Along with the two municipalities, some damage was done in Ichchhakamana Gaunpalika as well.

Experts have already begun to analyse the impact caused by locusts and started generating awareness among people about the safety measures against the grasshopper-like insect.

The swarm of locusts which entered Chitwan Saturday evening had spread in various parts of the district within Sunday.

As it is the time to harvest maize and Chaite Dhan (winter paddy) in Chitwan alongside cultivating yearly rice, the effects of locusts on the farms of Chitwan could be harmful.

“There is a high risk that locusts may destroy large share of crops in Chitwan,” said Dhakal.

During a locust attack in 1996, Chitwan was the hardest-hit district as 80 per cent crops in the district were destroyed.

While Chitwan marked some destruction due to locusts, Rupandehi, a district nearby, reported no destruction despite thousands of locusts passing through it.

According to Agriculture Directorate of State 5, thousands of locusts passed over Rupandehi and terrorised farmers but did not cause any destruction in the crop fields.

Seen in thousands on Saturday, there were no locusts in the district on Sunday.

“We have asked every local level but none saw locust on Sunday. Farmers were worried but fortunately there was no damage,” said Ram Prasad Pandey, chief of Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project, Rupandehi.

As per the experts, locusts moved towards other neighbouring districts on Sunday.

“Locusts are said to be seen in Gulmi, Argakhanchi, Palpa, Nawalparasi and Kapilvastu, among other districts, today [Sunday]. However, none were seen in Rupandehi,” said Yam Narayan Devkota, chief of the agriculture directorate of State 5.

The directorate has also planned necessary measures to control locusts during a meeting with State 5 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law and State 5 Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative on Saturday evening.

The meeting also decided to buy locusts from ward offices at a rate of Rs. 20 per kg.