Western New South Wales farmer Luke Scales shared footage of the dry, barren landscape in Tilpa on August 7, highlighting the extent to which Australia’s agricultural heartland has been ravaged by drought.

Parts of New South Wales were suffering through what was described as likely to be the worst drought in 400 years, according to research from the University of Melbourne. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announcing a $140 million (190 million Australian dollars) drought relief package for impacted farms.

The lack of rain was so severe that the nearby Darling River dried up entirely in certain parts. The Bureau of Meteorology predicted the August to October conditions would not improve. Credit: Luke Scales via Storyful