Drought is a condition that becomes when the average rainfall for a fertile area drops far below  the normal (23)________  for  a long period of time. In areas (24)_______ are not  irritated, the lack of rain  causes farm crops to wither and dead . Higher than normal temperatures usually accompany periods of drought .They add (25)________ the crop damage. Forest fires start easily during (26)______ .The soil of a drought  area becomes dry and crumbles. Often the rich topsoil is (27)________ away by the hot, dry winds .Streams, ponds, and wells often dry up during a drought, and animals suffer and may even die because of the lack of water.

Drought is a condition that becomes when the average rainfall for a fertile area drops far below the normal (23)________ for a long period of time.