A total of 2 tmcft of Ghataprabha river waters will be released from the Hidkal dam in Belagavi district starting Thursday for drinking water supply to villages and nearby towns.

Water supply will will end after six days.

Minister Satish Jarkiholi has said that he has issued instructions to officers to manage drinking water supply situation by releasing water from the dam.

Water release will start at 6 p.m. on Thursday. The Minister has urged farmers not to use drinking water for other purposes.

Similarly, with effect from April 1, the authorities have been instructed to release water from the Hidkal reservoir to the Ghataprabha left bank, right bank and community-based canals for 10 days for the public to use it for drinking needs for themselves and livestock.

Mr. Jarkiholi has urged the public to see that water is not wasted unnecessarily.

As much as 4,000 cusecs of water is being released per day already. Steps have also been taken to release water from Kotbagi, Kalamaddy and Ramalingeshwar lift irrigation systems for drinking purposes only, said a release.