U.S. designates drought disaster areas to provide aid

Photo taken on July 18, 2012 shows corn crops died of drought in Seminole County, Oklahoma State, the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Xifan)

The U.S. Department of Agricultural (USDA) Wednesday designated 597 counties in 14 states as primary natural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by drought and heat.

These are the first disaster destinations in 2013, said U.S. Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement, adding that it made these areas eligible for assistance like low interest emergency loans.

Based on U.S. Drought Monitor measurements, the 597 counties have shown at least severe drought for eight straight weeks, said Vilsack. The fresh drought disaster destinations indicate that the excessive drought disasters in 2012 have extended to the new year.

Photo taken on July 18, 2012 shows the water level of the Thunderbird Lake in Cleveland County, Oklahoma State, the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Xifan)

In 2012, 2,245 counties in 39 states were defined as drought disaster areas, accounting for 71percent of the Unites States. To help crop and livestock producers, the USDA released some conservation land for emergency haying and grazing. The crop insurance companies also provided a grace period for farmers on insurance premiums in 2012.

Vilsack noted that many of those same actions would be introduced to help drought areas, and the department would continue to bring relief to producers ahead of the 2013 planting season.