Cauvery dispute: CWRC asks K’taka to release 3,000 cusecs daily to TN

New Delhi: The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) revised the quantum of Cauvery water to be released to Tamil Nadu and asked Karnataka to let 3,000 cusecs of water daily at Biligundlu starting from September 28 till October 15, 2023. Earlier the amount was set at 5,000 cusecs.

In its 87th meeting of CWRC held in New Delhi today, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu made their submissions before the committee.

The submission made by Karnataka stated that the state was not in a position to release any water from its reservoirs or contribute any flows from its reservoirs to the flows to be maintained at the interstate border of Biligundlu.

The submission further stated that the shortfall in cumulative inflows to the state’s four reservoirs upto September 25 was 53.04 percent. “The Government of Karnataka in the order dated September 13 has declared 161 Talukas in the State as severely drought-affected and 34 Talukas as moderately drought-affected. Out of this, 32 severely drought-affected Talukas and 15 moderately drought-affected Talukas fall in the Cauvery basin. This aspect needs utmost recognition and invites critical consideration by the committee,” the submission said.

Tamil Nadu urged CWRC that Karnataka has to release the shortfall quantity immediately and further flows as per the distress proportion. Tamil Nadu also urged CWRC that Karnataka too had to reduce its irrigation supply based on the distress proportion.

Meanwhile, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah urged the Water Management Authority to implement a distress formula for Water Sharing when there was a water shortage. “So far no distress formula has been implemented. We have been praying for the distress formula in Cauvery water sharing issue. SC or CWMA have not given distress formula solution, whenever there is less rain, there shouldbe distress formula to share water” Siddaramaiah said.

The order from the CWMA comes on a day when the ‘Bengaluru Bandh’ was observed against the CWMA’s decision ordering the government to release water. There have also been protests in Trichy and other regions of Tamil Nadu along the Cauvery Delta where the farmers allege they do not have enough water to ensure Kurai (Paddy Crop) Cultivation.

(With ANI inputs)