The Lebanese Agriculture Ministry is on alert to face potential locust swarms after they were reported in Syrian areas.
According to the National News Agency, caretaker Agriculture Minister Abbas Mortada asked on Thursday the specialized teams at the Ministry to be ready to face potential locust swarms.
Mortada also asked people living in border villages and areas to inform the Ministry of any sightings of locust swarms, by calling the number 81/964621.
In addition, the official contacted caretaker Defense Minister Zeina Akar and requested “the readiness of Army helicopters to help in any emergency in this regard.”
These measures come after desert locust swarms reportedly reached several southern and eastern areas in Syria.
These insects had swarmed Jordan over the past few days, reaching southern areas in the capital city of Amman on Monday.
Around that time, caretaker Minister Mortada instructed experts at the Agricultural Research Authority to monitor the movements of these swarms in neighboring countries and to take any necessary measures to face potential swarms locally.
Lebanon came close to being invaded by locusts around this time last year when several countries in the region were dealing with the insects.
*Photo used for illustrative purposes.
