Assahafa.com
In response to the spread of desert locusts in certain neighboring countries, particularly in the Sahel region and northwestern Africa, and the potential movement of some swarms northward, the Interior Ministry announced on Saturday that all relevant departments and competent authorities have intensified their alert levels, mobilization, and preparedness to tackle all challenges associated with this insect invasion.
Locust swarms have recently been detected in limited numbers within restricted areas in some southeastern regions of the Kingdom, the ministry reported in a press release, noting that necessary preventive measures have been implemented to address any potential developments or emergencies.
Although the situation remains under control and does not currently raise concern, a series of preventive and responsive measures have been taken, including the reactivation of command centers in all affected provinces to monitor the situation and implement necessary actions, the press release added.
These measures include mobilizing all resources, placing necessary intervention means on high alert, and forming specialized intervention teams responsible for surveillance, detection, and locust control operations. These teams are equipped with insecticides and necessary tools, along with full logistical support, including aerial resources.
In this regard, the ministry stressed that sufficient insecticide stocks are available to handle any emergency, emphasizing that intervention teams have taken necessary precautions to protect ecosystems, preserve biodiversity in natural environments, and safeguard water, plant, and animal resources.
All relevant services and departments will remain mobilized to strengthen monitoring, surveillance, and detection operations, particularly in natural locust gathering areas. Various measures will be taken to contain and eradicate the spread of locusts, according to the same source.
Source: map
