Worst drought in decades hits Brazil Northeast

Brazil's Northeastern area is suffering its worst drought in decades, a condition which threatens hydro-power supplies in one of the country's emerging agricultural frontiers.

"We are experiencing the worst drought in 50 years, with consequences that could be compared to a violent earthquake," Eduardo Salles, the agriculture secretary in the northeastern state of Bahia, said in a statement.

Dry weather has hurt crops and animal carcasses lie abandoned in some areas that have seen almost no rain in the past two years.