Karnataka directed to release 3500 cusecs of Cauvery Water to Tamil Nadu
New Delhi, July 28
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee has recommended that Karnataka release 3500 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days. The committee has also recommended releasing a total of 4 TMC of water.
Following the meeting in New Delhi, Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy responded to the directive. "We are facing a water shortage. I will discuss with the CM and take a decision."
"There has been no rain here. We need drinking water for the entire year," he added.
On the possibility of appealing to the Cauvery Water Management Authority, the Minister said, "We will discuss and decide on going on appeal to the Cauvery Water Management Authority."
The State government is expected to take a final call after discussions with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Earlier at the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) meeting held in July 15, Karnataka stated that it cannot release water to Tamil Nadu due to a severe shortage in the Cauvery basin, Karnataka Irrigation Minister Ramalinga Reddy's office stated.
Karnataka officials told the committee that there was no rainfall in the Cauvery catchment in June and there was zero inflow into reservoirs.
"There has been some rain in a few places in July, and a small quantity of water has been stored in the dams. But there is no forecast of the monsoon picking up again," the Karnataka officials said.
Karnataka argued that the water currently stored must be used only for drinking purposes. "There is no water stored in our dams. The water available now is limited to drinking. Karnataka is facing a rainfall deficit the likes of which we have never seen before," the state submitted.
Tamil Nadu, however, insisted that water should be released as per the Supreme Court verdict.
The fresh conflict arose after Tamil Nadu had demanded that Karnataka release Cauvery water to the state, which Karnataka refused, citing less rainfall and lower storage of water.
The Supreme Court had ordered Karnataka in 2018 to release 177.25 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu in order to resolve the long-standing Cauvery River water dispute.
After defining the share of water in its 2018 judgement, in September 2023, the Supreme Court observed that the CWRC had passed an order, which was affirmed by the CWMA and directed Karnataka to release 5000 cusec water per day from Krishnarajasagar and Kabini put together, at Biligundulu, Tamil Nadu, for 15 days.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a farmer's daughter from Tamil Nadu, I understand both sides. Our paddy fields are dying without water. But Karnataka's situation sounds genuine too—zero inflow in June is scary. The real problem is climate change and poor water management. We need better dams and rainwater harvesting everywhere.
I'm from Bangalore and this is frustrating. We already have water shortage here—apartments get water only twice a week. Now releasing to TN? I get the court order, but what about people's drinking water needs? The government should invest more in interlinking rivers instead of these yearly fights.
Interesting how water disputes are so common in India. In California, we have similar fights between states over Colorado River water. The Supreme Court here tried to resolve it in 2018, but implementation is always messy. 3500 cusecs seems like a compromise, but Karnataka's concern about drinking water is valid.
Respectfully, I think Karnataka should follow the Supreme Court order. The Cauvery dispute has been going on for over 100 years—enough is enough. But I also feel for Karnataka farmers who might lose their crops. The real solution is better water conservation and monsoon prediction. Let's hope the rain comes soon! 🙏
This sounds like a classic catch-22. Karnataka claims zero inflow while TN demands its legal share. The committee's 3500 cusecs recommendation seems reasonable as a short-term fix, but long-term planning is clearly lacking. Maybe both states should collaborate on cloud seeding or desalination projects.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.