Karnataka: CWMA directs State to release 1 TMC of water daily to Tamil Nadu until July 31

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has recommended that Karnataka release 1 Thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water daily to Tamil Nadu until July 31. This directive comes as a result of discussions held during the committee’s 99th meeting on July 11 in New Delhi. The committee specified that Karnataka should ensure a cumulative water flow of 1 TMC per day (an average flow of 11,500 cusecs) at Biligundlu from July 12 to July 31.

Karnataka has requested that the committee wait until July 25 before making any final decisions regarding the release of water. The state emphasized the need for additional time to assess the situation more accurately, considering the current inflows and storage levels. From June 1, 2024, to July 9, 2024, the cumulative inflow to Karnataka’s four reservoirs was recorded at 41.651 TMC, with a deficit of 28.71 per cent.

The storage in Karnataka’s four reservoirs stands at 58.668 TMC, while Tamil Nadu’s reservoirs have a total of 30.247 TMC, including 4.905 TMC from Mettur and 0.618 TMC from Bhavani. Despite this, Tamil Nadu has urged Karnataka to release the prescribed water flow to Biligundlu, citing the significant impact of the Supreme Court’s modification of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s order on the water release.

In a previous water year, from February 2024 to May 2024, Karnataka did not release water to Tamil Nadu. With Karnataka experiencing normal inflows this year, Tamil Nadu has demanded that Karnataka ensure the prescribed flow according to the CWMA order.

After thorough discussions, the Cauvery Water Management Authority has firmly instructed Karnataka to ensure the release of water from its reservoirs during the specified period, maintaining the cumulative water flow at Biligundlu at 1 TMC per day. This is a crucial directive that must be adhered to.

Last summer, the CWMA directed Karnataka to release 2.5 TMC of water despite severe drought conditions in the state and water shortages in the Cauvery basin reservoirs. Karnataka’s hilly regions are receiving rain, and small amounts of water are accumulating in non-Cauvery-fed reservoirs. Nevertheless, Karnataka has been directed to release water to Tamil Nadu per the new recommendation.