Cauvery Water Management Authority upholds Cauvery Water Regulation Committee direction to Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs a day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has upheld an earlier directive issued by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to Karnataka. Karnataka is required to release Cauvery water at a rate of 3,000 cusecs per day for a period of 15 days to Tamil Nadu. This total release will amount to 3.88 tmcft. The release is set to commence on the morning of October 9 (Friday) from the Biligundlu inter-State water gauge.

Initially, Karnataka claimed that it could not allocate any more water as it had to prioritize its limited water storage for drinking purposes. The State's reservoirs had received only 54% of their 30-year average inflow, with a cumulative inflow of 257.633 tmcft compared to the 30-year average of 257.633 tmcft.

Karnataka argued that its water situation was dire, with no space for replenishment as the southwest monsoon, a crucial factor in its weather system, had come to an end. Its total water storage across all sources was estimated at 57 tmcft, but it would require 45 tmcft for drinking water, environmental flows, and evaporation, leaving a meager 12 tmcft for irrigation.

On the other hand, Tamil Nadu claimed that its situation was better, with a reservoir storage of 37.997 tmcft. This is projected to rise to 244.997 tmcft considering downstream contributions and groundwater availability, as it is expected to have a normal northeast monsoon. Tamil Nadu highlighted that its irrigation release for samba crop was delayed by 81 days, causing crop stress.

It had received only 46.047 tmcft of water against the stipulated 127.706 tmcft, leaving a backlog of 15.022 tmcft. Tamil Nadu requested the CWRC to direct Karnataka to clear this backlog.

Following the hearing of both states, the CWRC directed Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs per day for 15 days, totaling 3.88 tmcft.