CAA begins locust spraying at Jinnah Terminal

Locusts can cause major damage to aircraft, spraying to be carried out daily, say officials

KARACHI: Fearing damages to aircraft, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) launched a spray campaign at Jinnah Terminal on Saturday to fend off probable locust attacks.

A spray campaign was launched on the central and secondary runways, and insecticide is also being sprayed in the areas surrounding the runway, according to CAA officials. These include the approach areas, boarding bridges and aircraft parking areas.

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The officials maintain that locusts can cause major damage to aircraft and insecticide sprays will be carried out daily given the locust threat in Sindh. Besides, they add, there are concerns of the presence of large birds due to locusts and measures are being taken to protect planes from accidents and damages. Climatic events such as locust attacks and dust storms have prompted special measures at the airport in the past week.

Earlier this week, private jets and helicopters parked at the airport were anchored with weights as strong winds battered the city on Wednesday night, as small aircraft are more susceptible to damage during storms.

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According to the Sindh government, 22 districts in Sindh have been affected by locusts in recent weeks. The provincial government had reportedly added 41 more teams to its anti-locust fleet last month, and remains fearful of major locust invasions heading its way soon.

Highlighting the threat of breeding locusts in the monsoon season, Sindh Agriculture Minister Ismail Rahoo said on June 4 that the Centre has yet to initiate aerial spraying.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2020.