Chennai, Aug 12:
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) on Tuesday directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12, following Tamil Nadu’s complaint that Karnataka had failed to comply with an earlier release order.
The CWMA endorsed the recommendation of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), which had earlier directed Karnataka to ensure a flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days from July 29.
Tamil Nadu told the authority that the actual flow at Biligundlu between July 29 and August 2 was only 158 to 550 cusecs, far below the stipulated 3,500 cusecs.
Karnataka opposed the higher release, citing declining inflows and low reservoir storage. It said its four Cauvery reservoirs had received 77.746 TMC during the monsoon, around 47% below the 30-year average, and argued that water had to be conserved for drinking water and agricultural requirements.
Tamil Nadu, however, argued that Karnataka’s reservoirs had sufficient water to meet its obligations. It sought releases from both the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs, besides recovery of the accumulated shortfall.
Tamil Nadu also sought directions to ensure a total flow of 37 TMC at Biligundlu by the end of August, including the backlog and its proportionate share for the remaining period.
The latest order is likely to intensify the long-running Cauvery water-sharing dispute between the two neighbouring States.