Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, July 2: The Karnataka government has released Rs 117 crore in advance to ensure villages do not face a drinking water crisis amid the anticipated rainfall deficit caused by the El Niño phenomenon, rural development and panchayat raj minister Eshwar B Khandre said on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference at Vikasa Soudha, Khandre said action plans worth nearly Rs 85 crore have already been drawn up, while around Rs 30 crore has been spent to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply in water-scarce villages.

"Officials have been instructed to resolve any drinking water problem in villages within 24 hours," he said.

The minister said drinking water is being sourced from private open wells and borewells and supplied through tankers wherever required. Fresh borewells are being drilled only in cases of absolute necessity, he added.

Khandre noted that water levels in reservoirs are declining, although rainfall over the past two to three days has brought fresh inflows into some reservoirs.

Appealing to the public to conserve water during the challenging period, the minister urged people to use the precious resource judiciously and avoid wastage. He also directed gram panchayats to ensure there are no leakages in drinking water supply systems.