Karnataka reduces Cauvery water releases to Tamil Nadu by 57 per cent

Karnataka has reduced the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu by approximately 57 per cent due to declining rainfall and inflows in upper catchment areas. The total discharge from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs fell to 5,200 cubic feet per second, down from 11,983 cusecs the previous day.

At the KRS reservoir, water levels have dropped to 106.84 feet against a full capacity of 124.80 feet. Similarly, the Kabini reservoir is at 2,268.50 feet, below its full level of 2,284 feet. These reductions impact the Mettur Dam and irrigation supplies in the Cauvery delta.

The water shortage has reignited debates regarding the long-standing Cauvery dispute. Critics and former officials have raised concerns about unaccounted-for excess water flowing into Tamil Nadu during flood periods and have questioned the fairness of historical water-sharing agreements. Some advocates suggest that the construction of the Mekedatu balancing reservoir could help manage water needs more effectively during dry years.