Mexican farmers lose 2.2 million acres of crops to dry conditions amid drought this year, Social Development Secretary estimates

Andrew Rogers

MEXICO CITY , November 28, 2011 (Associated Press) – Forget lawn watering or car washing: A drought has dried up even drinking water supplies for an estimated 2.5 million people in more than 1,500 small communities in northern Mexico.

Social Development Secretary Heriberto Felix Guerra says water has to be trucked in, treated on the spot and stored in tanks for many of those towns.

Felix Guerra said Friday that seven Mexican states are suffering from drought while other parts of the country have been troubled by such severe weather as floods or hail.

The secretary notes that the trucked-in water is for drinking and doesn't help problems with crops and cattle. He estimates farmers have lost 2.2 million acres (900,000 hectares) of crops to dry conditions this year.

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