1.   The Plains will stay very mild and record heat is likely again in the drought areas of Texas and Oklahoma.

2.   Torres said the Guadalquivir Platform, named for the river through Seville, would invite farmers in other drought areas to join if more protests are held.

3.   Gujarat and parts of neighboring Rajasthan state have been declared drought areas following two years of light monsoon rains.

4.   Meteorologists said the rain is from a tropical depression and was so heavy that some drought areas have been hit by flash floods.

5.   The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has plans to develop Thung Kula, the drought area in the Northeast into fertile farmland for growing plants, especially fragrant rice.