Speaking to Dantri/Dtinews on May 29, a representative at the Binh Gia District People's Committee said they were taking measures to exterminate tens of millions of grasshoppers, devastating forests and crops in the area.

"The grasshoppers have appeared over the past week and quickly developed in number," he said. "The insects had consumed some 10 hectares of bamboo forest and vegetable, rice and corn fields."

The committee warned local people to take measures to prevent the insects from their farms.

"Grasshoppers live around 5-6 months and can fly as far as 40-60 kilometres," the committee said. "They move in large numbers and may cause substantial damage."

Local authorities have asked people to catch the insects using various methods and prepare insecticide to prevent them from spreading to other areas.