Russian regions affected by drought have received 14 billion rubles ($458.4mln) worth of aid from the federal budget, First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said.

"As of today, 20 regions have received over 14 billion rubles from the federal budget," he told Russian government daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta.

Russia has seen the worst drought since 1970 due to a scorching heat wave that has gripped the country. Abnormally hot and dry weather since mid-June has destroyed the grain harvest across almost 11 million hectares of land.

Zubkov said that overall, the government intends to provide 35 billion rubles ($1.1bln) in budget loans and grants to the regions — 20 billion rubles by the end of August and another 15 billion rubles by the end of November.

The deputy premier said as of today the drought caused damage worth 30 billion rubles ($982.2mln).

MOSCOW, August 16 (RIA Novosti)