In a significant development, the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has issued an order directing the state of Karnataka to release 3,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu for a period of 15 days starting from October 16. This decision was made during the 26th meeting of the CWMA, chaired by S K Haldar in New Delhi.Tamil Nadu, represented by Sandeep Saxena, the Principal Secretary of the State Irrigation Minister, and R Subramaniam, Chairman of the Cauvery Technical Cell, alongside other members of the cell, had pressed for a larger allocation. They urged the CWMA to order Karnataka to release 16,000 cusecs of water at Biliguntulu to Tamil Nadu. However, the final decision saw the release of 3,000 cusecs for the specified duration.
Prior to the meeting, Tamil Nadu’s Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan expressed the state’s strong resolve to secure a release of 14,000 cusecs of Cauvery river water from Karnataka. This request was driven by the critical situation faced by farmers who have sown Kuruvai (short-term) crops in the delta districts and certain areas of Thanjavur district. These farmers had hoped for a steady inflow of Cauvery water from Karnataka to support their crops. Additionally, some regions had also undertaken the cultivation of Samba (long-duration) paddy crops.
Unfortunately, the prospects of a bountiful harvest are currently uncertain due to the dwindling water levels in the Mettur Dam. The reservoir is nearing dead storage, exacerbating concerns for the well-being of the standing crops.
Duraimurugan emphasised that the government of Tamil Nadu would strongly advocate for the release of 14,000 cusecs of water at the CWMA meeting.
The Cauvery water dispute has a long history of contention between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with water-sharing agreements and allocations being the central points of dispute.
The CWMA was established to address and adjudicate on matters related to the sharing of Cauvery river waters between the two states, aiming to ensure a fair distribution of this vital resource.
The decision to allocate 3,000 cusecs for 15 days is a temporary respite in a long-standing conflict, and the situation remains delicate as both states grapple with their respective agricultural needs and water availability. The coming weeks will be crucial for the farmers in Tamil Nadu, as they anxiously await the release of Cauvery waters to save their crops and livelihoods.