Cauvery Water Row Escalates: SC to Hear TN's Plea Against Karnataka
Cauvery Water Row Escalates: SC to Hear TN's Plea Against Karnataka
The Supreme Court steps in as Tamil Nadu seeks urgent action against Karnataka over the Cauvery water dispute. Find out what's at stake in the crucial hearing on August 13.
The Supreme Court is set to hear an urgent plea from Tamil Nadu on August 13 (Thursday), seeking directions for Karnataka to comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) decision. This crucial hearing addresses Karnataka's alleged failure to release 3,500 cusecs of water per day for 15 days from its Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara reservoirs, as mandated. The DMK's similar application against Karnataka will also be heard on the same day.
Tamil Nadu has approached the apex court, accusing Karnataka of "wilfully" disobeying the CWMA's July 30 directive. This directive endorsed the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) recommendation for water release, effective from July 29. Tamil Nadu is pressing for the mandated water to reach the inter-state border at Billigundulu and for Karnataka to compensate for the accumulated shortfall in releases.
According to Tamil Nadu, the CWMA's order translates to 4.536 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water, equivalent to 3,500 cusecs daily for 15 days, to be released by August 12. However, the state argues that even this amount would still leave a substantial deficit under the distress-sharing formula. Consequently, Tamil Nadu has requested the Supreme Court to direct Karnataka to release an additional 26.954 TMC, which it claims is its pro rata entitlement between June 1 and August 12.
The state's plea highlights that Karnataka has not even adhered to the limited 3,500-cusec directive. Records at Billigundulu show actual flows between July 29 and August 2 ranged only from 158 cusecs to 530 cusecs, drastically below the required daily release. Tamil Nadu explicitly stated, "It is evident that Karnataka has wilfully not complied with the directions of the CWRC/CWMA." The improved storage levels in Karnataka's reservoirs were also cited by Tamil Nadu in its arguments.
