With agricultural land and water drying up for millions of people, Mexico's northern states are suffering the worst drought conditions the country has seen during the 70 years since the government started recording rainfall in 1941.

The devastating drought has dried up drinking water for almost 2.5 million people, burned about 2.2 million acres of farmland, and led to the deaths of around 1.7 million head of cattle via starvation and thirst, according to reports.

The government is reportedly supplying water and food to poor farmers in 1,500 villages scattered across the nation's northern tier. What makes the situation even worse is a prediction that life isn't likely to get better soon as the next rainy season will come only after next June. And there is no guarantee of normal rains then, either, The Associated Press reported.

This is the most severe drought the country has registered, President Felipe Calderon said Thursday at a meeting with governors from the hardest-hit states, which include Durango, Zacatecas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and San Luis Potosi.

These states get an annual average of 21 inches (542 millimeters) of rain, but this year they have received only 12 inches (308 millimeters), according to Mexico's National Weather Service.

Reports said the drought began when La Nina weather conditions arrived last fall, causing below-normal rainfall. The region didn't get much rainfall during the most recent hurricane season, which made the situation even more complicated, according to David Brown, regional climate services director for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Fort Worth, Texas.

Check out the pictures below of the sun-baked northern states of Mexico.

The carcass of a cow lies on the ground in San Isidro de Cienega
A cow's remains lie on the ground in San Isidro de Cienega in the state of Nuevo Leon on Nov. 28. Mexico is weathering its worst drought in seven decades. It is affecting almost 70 percent of the country, has devastated farm life, and is expected to continue into next year. REUTERS
Tarahumara Indians stand in line to receive a government donation of food in Guachochi
Tarahumara Indians stand in line to receive government donations of food in Guachochi on Nov. 30. Tarahumara Indians are suffering severe shortages of food and water. According to local media outlets, crops are being destroyed as Mexico suffers its worst drought in seven decades. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez
A Tarahumara Indigenous family sits together in Guachochi
A Tarahumara Indigenous family sits together in Guachochi on Nov. 30. Tarahumara Indians are suffering severe shortages of food and water. According to local media outlets, crops are being destroyed as Mexico suffers its worst drought in seven decades. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez
A Tarahumara Indian stands with her children in Guachochi
A Tarahumara Indian stands with her children in Guachochi on Nov. 30, 2011. Tarahumara Indians are suffering severe shortages of food and water. According to local media outlets, crops are being destroyed as Mexico suffers its worst drought in seven decades. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez
A view of a drought-affected rural settlement of El Refugio de los Ibarra in the municipality of Galeana
A view of the drought-affected rural settlement of El Refugio de los Ibarra in the municipality of Galeana in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon is captured on Nov. 30. Mexico is weathering its worst drought in seven decades. It is affecting almost 70 percent of the country, has devastated farm life, and is expected to continue into next year. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo
A view of a drought-affected rural settlement of El Refugio de los Ibarra in the municipality of Galeana
A view of the drought-affected rural settlement of El Refugio de los Ibarra in the municipality of Galeana in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon is captured on Nov. 30. Mexico is weathering its worst drought in seven decades. It is affecting almost 70 percent of the country, has devastated farm life, and is expected to continue into next year. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo
Cracks are seen in dry earth in San Isidro de Cienega
Cracks are seen in dry earth in San Isidro de Cienega in the state of Nuevo Leon on Nov. 28. Mexico is weathering its worst drought in seven decades. It is affecting almost 70 percent of the country, has devastated farm life, and is expected to continue into next year. REUTERS
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