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Crops lost on 600,000 ha in Volgograd Reg because of drought

The damage is preliminary estimated at about five billion roubles

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

VOLGOGRAD, June 16 (Itar-Tass) —— Crops are lost on 600,000 hectares in the Volgograd Region because of drought.

The damage is preliminary estimated at about five billion roubles, an official at the regional Agriculture Ministry told Itar-Tass on Saturday.

The ministry has sent a letter to Moscow, informing about the situation and asking for aid.

According to the meteorological service, the drought has seriously affected more than 22 districts in the region, with the centre in the Volga region and the southern and central districts. Light rain and temperature going down from 40 to 30 degrees can prevent further crop losses. Meteorologists forecast such weather change already for Sunday.

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