Karnataka faces fresh Cauvery squeeze as CWMA backs 12,000-cusec release to TN

Bengaluru: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will hold a high-level meeting with ministers, 15 Congress leaders, senior officials and legal experts on Wednesday to discuss the state’s response to the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) direction to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

The CWMA on Tuesday affirmed the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) order directing Karnataka to ensure 12,000 cusecs at Biligundlu from 8 am on Wednesday for 15 days. The state Cabinet will meet on Thursday to discuss the issue.

Also read: Cauvery row: SC to hear Tamil Nadu plea for Karnataka water on August 13


Karnataka had sought a review of the order, citing severe hydrological stress. It told the CWMA that its four Cauvery reservoirs had received 77.746 TMC ft, about 47% below the 30-year average, with inflows declining.

The state also said it had already ensured 86,942 cusecs at Biligundlu against the prescribed 52,500 cusecs. It sought to reduce the mandated release to 10,000 cusecs and review further releases based on monsoon conditions and end-season storage.

Tamil Nadu, however, argued that Karnataka’s water stress did not justify withholding its share. It pointed to a 9% rainfall deficit upstream of KRS and 19% upstream of Kabini between June 1 and August 10. The deficit downstream of Biligundlu was 36%, according to IMD data cited by Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu also sought releases from both KRS and Kabini and asked Karnataka to ensure total flows of 37 TMC at Biligundlu by the end of August, considering the accumulated backlog.

The fresh order puts Shivakumar’s government under political pressure. The CM has appealed to pro-Kannada organisations to withdraw their proposed August 13 bandh over the Cauvery issue. The Supreme Court is also scheduled to hear Tamil Nadu’s petition on the dispute the same day.

“We will take a decision after assessing the water availability in the state,” Shivakumar told reporters, stressing that the government would protect farmers’ interests while complying with regulatory orders.

“If we remain patient, all problems will be resolved amicably,” he said, amid concerns over possible farmer protests.

The irrigation department is monitoring reservoir inflows, while Shivakumar has directed officials to hold local-level meetings with farmers to protect standing crops. He said crop planning should consider water availability in reservoirs including Tungabhadra and Almatti, and not just the Cauvery basin.

Karnataka had complied with a July 29 order to release 3,500 cusecs to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Subsequent rainfall in the Kabini catchment improved inflows, providing temporary relief. The latest 12,000-cusec order is expected to put renewed pressure on Karnataka’s water balance as the monsoon progresses.