Cauvery Water Regulation Committee Orders Limited Release to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Responds

The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) have instructed Karnataka to release a daily flow of 3,500 cusecs to Tamil Nadu for a period of fifteen days. Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said the order comes at a time when the state is facing a grave water deficit.

He pointed out that Tamil Nadu’s request for 9 TMC was made while Karnataka’s reservoirs – Kabini, Krishna Raj Sagar, Harangi and Hemavati – were still below optimal levels. Despite the request, the state has so far released only 2.9 TMC this year, a stark drop from the 19.19 TMC released in June of the previous year.

Shivakumar provided an update on current inflows: Kabini is receiving 24,000 cusecs, Krishna Raj Sagar 22,000 cusecs, Harangi 10,430 cusecs and Hemavati 12,000 cusecs, totaling 67,378 cusecs. He reiterated that the government’s foremost priority is to secure at least 40 TMC for drinking water, with 36 TMC earmarked for potable needs.

The chief minister also mentioned that Karnataka’s legal team, based in Delhi, participated virtually in the meeting, ensuring that every move stays within the framework of law and protects Karnataka’s water rights.