Ballari: The Ballari Zilla Panchayat has identified 693 villages in the district that are likely to face drinking water problem during the summer and has initiated steps to overcome it.

Meanwhile, drinking water is being supplied through tankers in four villages —Rampur and Hasahalli in Kudligi taluk and Bandri Gollarahatti and K.K. Tanda in Sandur and Hadagali taluks.

“Except for these four villages, the problem is not acute in the other villages. We have identified the villages likely to face drinking water crisis and have also chalked out an action plan for Rs. 13.83 crore and have been implementing it,” K.V. Rajendra, Chief Executive Officer, Ballari Zilla Panchayat, told The Hindu .

“We have identified 177 private borewells of which 147 have been taken on rent to ease the water crisis where necessary,” he said.