As the National Capital grapples with shortage of water, the Supreme Court Thursday directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release excess water with prior information to Haryana.

It further asked the Haryana government to facilitate the flow of this water to Delhi.

The court directed the Upper Yamuna River Board to measure the water released by Himachal, and asked the Delhi government to ensure that there's no wastage of water.

"Since Himachal has no objection, we direct that it shall transfer 127 cusecs from upstream so water reaches Hathnikund barrage and reaches Delhi through Wazirabad. As and when the surplus water is released by State of Himachal Pradesh with prior intimation, the State of Haryana shall facilitate the flow of water from Hathnikund to Wazirabad so it reaches Delhi without obstruction so the residents get drinking water," the court's order read as reported by IndianExpress.

The directions come amid a water crisis and the ongoing heatwave in Delhi, prompting the Union Territory's government to turn to the Supreme Court for immediate intervention.