Large swarms of locusts invade Yemeni areas, after “FAO” warnings

Massive swarms of desert locusts have spread in a several areas of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, after their appearance a few days ago in Hadramout province, eastern Yemen.

Local sources said Monday that locust swarms swept the capital Sanaa a few hours after they reached Sanhan district, south of the capital.

On Saturday, swarms of locusts attacked Rakhiya valley in Hadramout threatening agricultural production in the province.

In mid-April, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned of the risk of the desert locust in several countries, including Yemen in the coming months.

The organization pointed out that the spread of the desert locust poses a real threat to food security and livelihoods in these areas.

FAO expected that the heavy rains that occurred during late March would cause a large increase in locust numbers in eastern Yemen and Africa.