Video: Egypt Struck by Swarm of Locusts Ahead of Passover
As a reminder to those who thought the account related in
the Passover Haggadah might have been an exaggeration – think again. Millions
of locusts have swooped down in a swarm from the sky on to the land of Egypt.
The locust plague struck over the weekend in the Giza
region, home to a cluster of famous pyramids, according to reports in Arab
media.
Officials estimated that at least 30 million of the
insects have swarmed on to the fields and farms about 15 miles southwest of
Cairo. The locust swarm is causing massive damage to agriculture in the area,
Alwatan News reported.
In some parts of the Middle East, however, locusts are
used for food – and one particular ancient type, known to Yemenite Jews, is
actually considered kosher.
Residents were warned not to try to drive away the
locusts themselves in order to avoid creating further damage. Instead,
“Egyptian armed forces and border guards are attempting to fight the swarm with
all means at their disposal,” said Egyptian Agriculture Minister Dr. Salah Abd
Al Mamon.
“I ask the families living in the locust-plagues areas
not to burn tires,” Mamon appealed. “This does not chase away the locusts, but
only causes damage and could ignite large-scale fires that would cost in
lives.”
Instead, Mamon noted the weather forecasters have
predicted strong winds are soon to come, which he hopes will take the locusts
towards the Red Sea, and Saud Arabia. The department also plans to use crop
duster planes to address the infestation.
Comments
Post a Comment