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CNN Live At Daybreak

Locust Plague of Biblical Proportions Hits Siberia

Aired June 20, 2001 - 08:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: Across the United States, people are suffering the short-term effects of fires, floods and tornadoes. Across the southern expanse of Russia, there is a different natural disaster in the making, and its effects could last for a long time.

Correspondent Tim Rogers reports on the emergence of locusts.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TIM ROGERS, ITN REPORTER (voice-over): This is just the beginning. If worst fears are confirmed, it might also be the start of a plague on a biblical scale: Millions of locusts emerging from incubation to wreak havoc on grasslands. In this case, in Dagestan, a republic in Southern Russia. They're spreading at such rate, there is real concern that they may bring destruction to vast agricultural regions across the whole of southern Siberia, an area the size of Europe.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): If we can't stop these locusts, our animals will run out of food.

ROGERS: The locusts have been multiplying at a staggering rate due to a mild winter and ideal breeding conditions. With limited resources, the authorities have been trying to fight back. But in Dagestan alone 70,000 acres have already destroyed. Within a week, the locusts will grow wing, and they'll then be able to cover 30 miles a day. That will pose a threat to other regions across Siberia. Time is running out and the locusts are marching on.

Tim Rogers, ITN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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