Swarms moving into eastern Ethiopia
In early March, several swarms formed on the northwest coastal plains of Somalia as a result of local breeding during the past few months. From about 11 March as vegetation became dry, the swarms moved south from the coast up the escarpment to the Somali plateau. Most of the swarms appeared between Boroma and Hargeisa with only a few sightings near Burao. Unconfirmed reports of immature swarms continue to be received in the past few days from the Boroma area. Since vegetation has not yet become green from recent rains on the plateau, the swarms are continuing to move in a westerly, south-westerly and southerly direction, crossing the border into adjacent areas of eastern Ethiopia primarily near Jijiga. Since 19 March, there have been no further reports of locust infestations on the coast between Silil and Berbera.
The swarms are highly mobile and difficult to track and control. One spray aircraft is on standby in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia and national ground teams have been mobilized to eastern areas. So far, control operations were carried out near Ayasha and Jijiga.
The prevailing winds are expected to concentrate the swarms on the plateau near Jijiga, in adjacent areas of the Harar Highlands, and along the railway area between Dire Dawa and Ayasha. The adults are likely to mature in areas of recent rainfall or runoff and lay eggs in a few weeks. Swarm movements across the Somali plateau are likely to decline by the end of the month.
Elsewhere, the Desert Locust situation is improving and becoming calm in winter breeding areas along both sides of the Red Sea.