ReliefWeb

Desert Locust situation potentially dangerous in Yemen

New reports indicate that the Desert Locust situation has deteriorated further in Yemen and is potentially dangerous. Groups of hoppers and adults as well as hopper bands and adult swarms are forming in the interior as a result of good rains and breeding during the summer. Most of the infestations are located along the foothills near Marib and Bayhan but important populations are also present in very remote and isolated areas north of Wadi Hadhramaut and on the edge of the Empty Quarter between Al Abr, Hazar and Thamud. These areas are extremely difficult to access, and it is here where an outbreak occurred in 2007 that led to a swarm invasion in the Horn of Africa.

The extent of the current infestations is not well known but it appears that widespread breeding may have occurred in the interior, most of which could not be detected or confirmed due to the difficulties of undertaking regular ground surveys because of prevailing insecurity and limited resources. Breeding is still in progress in many areas. During the remainder of September, more hatching and band and swarm formation are expected.

Control operations are being coordinated by the Government and should commence in the coming days. However, many areas cannot be treated due to beekeepers and insecurity. Consequently, adult groups and small swarms are likely to escape detection and control. As vegetation dries out, they are expected to move to the coastal plains along the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. So far, limited movements have occurred, including a small swarm that arrived on the northern Tihama coastal plains of the Red Sea in early September. Breeding is in progress in both coastal areas where hoppers are forming small groups in some places.

At the moment, Desert Locust populations are expected to remain in Yemen. However, if northerly winds develop over the Gulf of Aden and persist for several days, there is a risk that some swarms could move south from the interior of Yemen, cross the Gulf of Aden and reach northern Somalia and perhaps adjacent areas of eastern Ethiopia.

All efforts should be made to undertake survey and control operations in Yemen while neighbouring countries should be on alert.

Elsewhere, the situation remains calm. Small-scale breeding continues in the summer breeding areas in the northern Sahel of West Africa and Sudan, and along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border.