TEMPO.CO, Kupang - Gidion Mblijora, the Regent of East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has declared a state of emergency over migratory locust attack that has hit the city in the past week.

“I have declared a state of emergency over the locust attack. Next, I will reactivate the migratory locust eradication brigade in every village,” Gidion said today, June 16.

According to him, the administration carried out locust eradication measure by spraying pesticide. He said that he has adequate pesticide stock. “If it’s not enough, we will ask for more from the provincial or the central government,” he said.

NTT Agriculture and Plantation Office head Yohanes Tay Ruba said that his office has sent 1 ton of pesticide to East Sumba in a bid to eradicate migratory locust.

East Sumba has been hit by migratory locust attack, causing crop failures in two hectares of land. “We will take anticipatory measures to prevent more crop failures,” Yohanes said.

Aside from attacking paddy fields, migratory locust also entered urban areas. They had earlier swarmed Umbu Mehang Kunda Airport.

YOHANES SEO