Desert Locust Monitoring and Loss Assessment in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Yemen (April 2025)

In April 2025, the Earth Big Data Project's "Asian-African Desert Locust Monitoring and Assessment" working group combined satellite data, meteorological data, survey data, and pest forecasting models to continuously update desert locust situations in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Remote sensing monitoring showed that desert locusts were mainly distributed in western Egypt, central Saudi Arabia, and western Yemen, affecting vegetation areas of 17,700 hectares, 19,300 hectares, and 17,600 hectares respectively. Over the next two months, locust numbers are expected to decrease in Egypt due to low rainfall, increase slightly in Saudi Arabia due to increased rainfall, and maintain limited breeding in Yemen where local rainfall has increased. Desert locust numbers decreased in Egypt, primarily affecting the western region and central Nile Valley, with the largest impacted area in New Valley Province. In Saudi Arabia, increased inland rainfall led to rising locust populations, mainly concentrated in Riyadh and Qassim regions. Yemen's western mountainous areas and Red Sea coast experienced increased rainfall favorable for locust breeding, with vegetation damage concentrated in Dhamar and Ibb provinces. Continuous monitoring of these regions is necessary to prevent further agricultural impacts.