Drones to disc jockeys: India battles new wave of crop-munching locusts

Locusts swarming in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. A small swarm can eat enough food to feed 35,000 people in one day, according to the UN FAO. — AP

NEW DELHI: From deploying drones and fire trucks to banging utensils and blaring loud music, India is experimenting with ways to battle a new wave of locust attacks that have alarmed farmers.

Millions of locusts have engulfed India's seven heartland states, including the western desert of Rajasthan, and threaten vegetable and pulse crops such as lentils and beans.