MEXICO CITY (AP) -- The government has declared nine drought-stricken states in northern Mexico disaster areas, clearing the way for federal aid, the government news agency Notimex reported Monday.

States across northern Mexico have been suffering from prolonged droughts and have experienced less than half of the average rainfall, according to Notimex reports.

Similar drought conditions spread across the region last year, killing cattle, parching crops and forcing some communities to truck in drinking water.