In a major decision, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) on Tuesday directed Karnataka to release 3000 cusecs of Cauvery water in the period of September 20 to October 15, 2023 at Biligundlu starting.
However, earlier, the total amount of the water which is to release by Karnataka was 5000 cusecs.
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The decision was taken by the CWRC in its 87th meeting held on Tuesday in the national capital during which both the states – Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, made their submissions.
As per the submission made by Karnataka claimed that their is a shortfall in the cumulative inflows of the four resoviour’s situated in the state by upto September 25 was 53.04 per cent.
he Cauvery water sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has intensified, with both states presenting their arguments to CWRC. Karnataka has argued that it cannot release additional water due to severe drought conditions in 161 talukas and moderate drought in 34 talukas, 32 of which are severely affected and 15 moderately affected talukas located in the Cauvery basin.
Karnataka has contended that it is unable to release water from its reservoirs or contribute flows to the interstate border of Biligundlu. Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, has urged the CWRC to order Karnataka to release the shortfall quantity immediately and adhere to the distress proportion.
The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, accused opposition parties, including the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular), of playing politics with the Cauvery water-sharing issue. He emphasized the need for a distress formula for water sharing during water shortages, which has not been implemented to date.
The CWRC’s decision to order the government to release water prompted protests in Bengaluru, where a bandh was organized. Protests have also erupted in Trichy and other regions of Tamil Nadu, particularly in the Cauvery delta, where farmers are facing water scarcity issues affecting their paddy crop cultivation (Kurai).
The Cauvery water-sharing dispute remains a contentious issue between the two states, with both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu presenting their perspectives and demands to the CWRC. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders will continue to monitor developments in this longstanding dispute.
