AHMEDABAD (AFP) - A massive locust invasion has destroyed thousands of hectares of crops in north-west India, authorities said, with some experts on Friday (Dec 27) terming it the worst such attack in 25 years.

While officials have attempted to tackle the swarm with pesticides, farmers have deployed drums to drive away the insects, with videos showing schoolgirls banging on steel plates - due to local beliefs that loud noise repels locusts.