Local authorities of Southern Bulgarian districts have undertaken measures to combat an invasion of Moroccan grasshoppers threatening to destroy vast areas with crops.

On Tuesday, the Bulgarian city of Blagoevgrad announced a biological disaster in the region caused by an invasion of Moroccan grasshoppers.

The emergency situation was declared at a meeting called up by the Blagoevgrad District Governor Valeri Smilenov to discuss the crisis situation, which was attended by the local directorates of Bulgaria's Civil Protection and Plant Protection Services.

Over the past few days, Moroccan grasshoppers have invaded the southern Bulgarian regions of Kardzhali and Blagoevgrad causing extensive damage to local agriculture.

Two helicopters have already started to spray the endangered areas in Kardzhali. Same measures were taken up by the Blagoevgrad district.

Several Bulgarian villages in the southwestern-most Municipality of Petrich have been affected the most by the insects which destroyed 360 hectares of crops.

The mayor of Petrich, Velyo Iliev, is expected to announce what kinds of measures the local authorities will take up in order to tackle the grasshoppers. These will most likely entail aerial application of chemical pesticides.

The local municipalities will provide the necessary funding for the pest control operation, and will later be reimbursed by the Disasters Fund of the Bulgarian government.

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