Setback for Karnataka as Cauvery panel upholds release of 3,500 cusecs to Tamil Nadu

CWMA upheld the order directing Karnataka to ensure 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days. Karnataka said it will appeal, as Tamil Nadu pressed for even higher releases.An all-party meeting has been convened in Bengaluru on Sunday to deliberate on the Cauvery water dispute.The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) on Thursday upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) direction requiring Karnataka to ensure a daily flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for the next 15 days, despite the state strongly arguing that it is facing an acute hydrological crisis due to significantly deficient inflows.At the 54th meeting of the Authority, Karnataka urged the CWMA to keep the July 28 CWRC order in abeyance for another fortnight, citing severe water shortages and the need to safeguard drinking water supplies.However, after considering submissions from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the Authority endorsed the earlier direction, marking a setback for the state.KARNATAKA CITES SEVERE WATER SHORTAGEDuring the meeting, Karnataka informed the Authority that inflows into its reservoirs are 65.65 per cent below the 30-year average, attributing the shortfall to the impact of the Super El Nio. The state argued that complying with the CWRC's order would place enormous pressure on its reservoirs. According to Karnataka, ensuring a flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu would require releasing nearly 7,000 cusecs from its reservoirs because of dry river conditions and conveyance losses before the water reaches the inter-state border.Karnataka also told the Authority that it needs to conserve around 40 TMC of water to meet drinking water requirements until June 2027, warning that the prevailing hydrological conditions warranted a cautious approach. The state further contended that Tamil Nadu enjoys a "dual advantage" as it receives water released by Karnataka while also benefiting from the North-East Monsoon later in the year. It added that Tamil Nadu already possesses substantial carryover storage from water released earlier by Karnataka and noted that, historically, the North-East Monsoon has significantly augmented reservoir levels in the neighbouring state during distress years.TAMIL NADU SEEKS HIGHER RELEASETamil Nadu, however, argued that the prevailing hydrological conditions warranted an even higher release than the 3,500 cusecs ordered by the CWRC.The state urged the Authority to direct Karnataka to enhance the daily release, contending that existing conditions justified a larger quantum of water to meet downstream requirements.After hearing both sides, the CWMA decided to affirm and endorse the CWRC's July 28 order, directing Karnataka to maintain a daily flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days.KARNATAKA TO CHALLENGE ORDERReacting to the Authority's decision, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the state would appeal against the order after consultations with ministers and senior officials.Speaking in Delhi, Shivakumar said the government had already discussed the matter with ministers and officials and would proceed with filing an appeal. He added that after returning to Bengaluru, he would also hold discussions with Opposition leaders on the issue.Shivakumar said Tamil Nadu had reached out seeking discussions on certain matters and that Karnataka would engage respectfully with the neighbouring state. He also said he had requested arrangements for an aerial inspection of the Cauvery basin in Karnataka to assess the prevailing water situation.Meanwhile, an all-party meeting has been convened in Bengaluru on Sunday (August 2) to deliberate on the Cauvery water dispute and formulate the state's response to the CWMA order. The meeting, to be held at the Home Office Krishna, will be attended by former chief ministers, Members of Parliament and MLAs representing the Cauvery basin region.The CWMA's decision comes amid heightened tensions between the two states over Cauvery water sharing, with Karnataka maintaining that the current hydrological distress has significantly reduced reservoir inflows, while Tamil Nadu has sought higher releases to meet its water requirements.With Karnataka preparing to challenge the order and an all-party meeting now scheduled to chart the state's course, the long-running Cauvery water dispute appears headed for another round of legal, political and administrative scrutiny.- EndsWith ANI InputsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 23:26 IST