Locust swarms reach Israel, Jordan from Egypt

Israel’s Agriculture Ministry has set up a hot line for helping farmers manage the destruction wrought by swarms of locusts which Monday flew in from Egypt where they devastated crops. The swarm consists of an estimated 30 million insects. The first were seen in the Negev Kadesh Barnea area. The UN FAO sent out prior warnings to Egypt, Jordan and Israel. Sightings should be phoned in to the Tel Aviv locust hot line at 03-968-1500.