Karnataka has been directed to release 4,000 cusecs of Cauvery water a day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days starting September 25. Because its reservoirs face pressure from weak inflows and declining rainfall, the state government said it will challenge the order.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said Karnataka would appeal against the latest decision. He said inflows into reservoirs in the Cauvery catchment had stopped and rainfall had declined, leaving the state under pressure over its available water.
Senior advocate C S Vaidyanathan, appearing for Tamil Nadu, argued that the Cauvery Water Management Authority should address the alleged deficit. The court was told that the CWRC reviews the water situation every 15 days.
He said Karnataka would release water if it was available. Shivakumar also said he would consult Water Resources Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy and assess the reservoir position before deciding the government’s next step. Karnataka’s counsel, senior advocate Shyam Divan, said the state was complying with the directions issued by the CWMA despite the drought situation. The bench said Tamil Nadu’s grievance over the alleged deficit had to be considered by the CWMA and directed Karnataka to file its response within a week.
