Karnataka Told to Release Cauvery Water
The Cauvery Water Management Authority has directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, upholding an earlier recommendation by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee.
Karnataka Ordered to Release Cauvery Water
The water release order will apply retrospectively from July 29. Karnataka had argued that it was unable to release additional water because of its own drinking water, agricultural and reservoir requirements.
The management authority rejected Karnataka’s contention and endorsed the regulation committee’s recommendation. At 3,500 cusecs per day for 15 days, the directed release amounts to approximately 4.5 thousand million cubic feet of water.
Karnataka can challenge the authority’s direction before the Supreme Court if it decides to pursue further legal action.
Tamil Nadu’s 7,000-Cusec Demand Rejected
Tamil Nadu had requested the release of 7,000 cusecs daily for 15 days, equivalent to approximately nine thousand million cubic feet.
The authority declined to approve the full amount sought by Tamil Nadu and instead fixed the release at half that rate.
Tamil Nadu has maintained that Cauvery water is required to support standing crops and agricultural activity in the river’s delta districts. Karnataka has cited pressures on its reservoirs and domestic requirements while opposing additional releases.
Cauvery Order Triggers Karnataka Protests
The direction has led to protests in Karnataka’s Mandya district, where farmers and Kannada organisations urged the state government not to release water.
Protesters argued that local communities were facing shortages affecting drinking water, farming and livestock. A memorandum was also submitted to the Karnataka government seeking intervention.
The state government has indicated that it will hold consultations on the Cauvery issue. The latest dispute comes under the water-sharing framework administered by the Cauvery Water Management Authority and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee.
Reservoir levels, monsoon inflows and state water requirements are expected to remain central to further proceedings.
