CWRC directs state to release 3,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to TN

Bengaluru: Karnataka has received another setback in the Cauvery water dispute, with the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) directing the state to release 3,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days.

The decision comes at a time when Karnataka is facing a severe water shortage following inadequate monsoon rainfall. The State government has already declared a large part of Karnataka as drought-affected, while a Central team is conducting assessments in several parts of the state. Karnataka had recently urged the authorities to reduce the quantum of water being released to Tamil Nadu from 4,000 cusecs to 2,000 cusecs. The state cited the sharp decline in inflows into the Cauvery basin reservoirs as the reason for its request.

According to Karnataka, only around 49 TMC of water is available collectively in the four major Cauvery basin reservoirs, including the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs. The state has maintained that a substantial portion of this water needs to be preserved to meet drinking water requirements until next June. Karnataka also pointed out that 47 taluks in the Cauvery basin have been declared severely drought-hit. With reservoir inflows falling significantly, the state argued that releasing large quantities of water to Tamil Nadu would put additional pressure on its drinking water reserves.

The state further contended that Tamil Nadu was expected to receive favourable rainfall from the Northeast Monsoon and requested a reduction in the quantity of water required to be released at Biligundulu. Despite Karnataka’s plea, the CWRC has now directed the state to release 3,000 cusecs for the next 15 days, adding to the government’s concerns over water availability.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hans India