New Delhi, Feb. 3 -- With Pakistan declaring a national emergency on Saturday, the locust outbreak in India is likely to intensify in the coming months.

The Locusts Warning Organisation (LWO) of the Ministry of Agriculture estimated that around 3.50-4 lakh hectare crops in various districts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have been affected in 2019-20. The damage caused by locust attacks in 2019-20 is believed to be one of the worst in India. Crops of mustard, cumin and wheat have been devastated in Rajasthan and Gujarat, affecting lakhs of farmers. In Rajasthan, the worst hit districts are Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur, Jalore, Hanumangarh, Ganganagar, Bikaner and Sirohi.

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