Cauvery panel directs Karnataka to release water at the rate of 3,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu for next 15 days

Cauvery river flows at Sangama — a scenic confluence point and popular tourist spot in Ramanagara district, a few km before Mekedatu.

The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has directed Karnataka to ensure a flow of water at the rate of 3,000 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days from 8 a.m. on October 24, rejecting Tamil Nadu’s demand for a substantially higher release. The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) endorsed the decision at its meeting.

Tamil Nadu had sought 18.402 tmcft of water over the next 15 days, including a claimed backlog of 13.829 tmcft. Its demand worked out to release at the rate of 14,236 cusecs a day. The CWRC, however, directed Karnataka to ensure a flow at the rate of 3,000 cusecs a day, equivalent to 3.88 tmcft over the 15-day period. The CWMA upheld the direction at its 60th meeting, following the 145th meeting of the CWRC.

Karnataka told the panels that inflows into its four Cauvery basin reservoirs had fallen sharply because of poor rainfall and weak contributions from intermediate catchments.

Against the 30-year average inflow of 273.865 tmcft, the reservoirs had received only 122.293 tmcft this year, a deficit of 55.35%, the State said.

Karnataka also argued that it had released more water than directed between July 29 and October 22. Against the stipulated release of 45.231 tmcft at Biligundlu, the recorded flow was 47.092 tmcft, an excess of 1.861 tmcft. It therefore rejected Tamil Nadu’s demand for additional water towards the alleged backlog.

The State maintained that water-sharing decisions during a distress year should take into account actual inflows, intermediate-catchment contributions, monsoon patterns and ground conditions.

Karnataka said the combined live storage in its reservoirs stood at 46.510 tmcft as on October 22. Against an estimated total availability of 55 tmcft, around 43 tmcft was required for drinking water and other priority needs, leaving only about 12 tmcft.

The State said it needed to conserve water for drinking supply, evaporation losses and environmental flows through the remaining water year.

It also highlighted the extent of drought in the State. Of Karnataka’s 240 taluks, 226 had been declared drought-affected. In the Cauvery basin, 55 of the 56 taluks were affected, leaving small and marginal farmers struggling to raise even a single crop, it submitted.

Karnataka urged the panels not to direct further releases from its reservoirs, citing the need to meet essential requirements.

Tamil Nadu argued that inadequate flows had affected delta farmers and agricultural operations. It said storage at the Mettur reservoir stood at 20.887 tmcft and sought the immediate release of the claimed backlog of 13.829 tmcft, calculated using a pro-rata sharing factor of 46.98%.

Karnataka countered that Tamil Nadu had adequate water availability, citing a combined storage of 29.377 tmcft in the Mettur, Bhavani and Amaravathi reservoirs. It also pointed to rainfall in 13 Tamil Nadu districts between October 1 and 21, which it said was 112% above normal, and said the Northeast monsoon could improve inflows further.

Tamil Nadu maintained that anticipated rainfall could not be treated as a substitute for its due share, as future rainfall remained uncertain.

After considering the submissions of both States, the CWRC directed Karnataka to ensure a flow at the rate of 3,000 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days from October 24. The CWMA endorsed the decision.