Bengaluru: In midst of a drought, the State on Saturday decision to release 1 tmc water from Narayanpur balancing reservoir to Maharashtra to mitigate the drinking water problems faced by several villages and towns on the banks of Bhima river in both states.
Maharashtra had earlier released 2 tmc water from Koyna reservoir to barrages in Krishna basin in Karnataka and put a condition that it should release 2 tmc from Narayanpur.
However, Karnataka decided to release 1 tmc water as a goodwill gesture. Around 2,000 cusecs of water has been released already. This will help store water in three barrages in Maharashtra across Bhima and six to seven barrages in Karnataka.
The water released will help people in Sholapur and Akkalkot in Maharashtra who are facing severe water shortage.
Afzalpur, Jewargi, Kalaburagi, Shahpur, Chittapur and Yadgir In Karnataka also will get some benefit.
Officials have been directed to ensure that the released water will be used for drinking purposes only, said Water Resources Minister M B Patil.
