Tamil Nadu and Karnataka dispute Cauvery water sharing as deficit widens

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) met in New Delhi on July 22 to address a growing shortfall in water deliveries to Tamil Nadu. By July 19, the state had received only about 3.44 tmc ft at the Biligundlu border point – roughly 12 % of its allotted 28.34 tmc ft – leaving a deficit of nearly 21 tmc ft. Karnataka's four major reservoirs in the basin have stored around 48.98 tmc ft, with inflows of 31.63 tmc ft, yet releases downstream total only about 5.26 tmc ft.

The CWMA failed to reach a resolution, and the dispute will be decided on a pro‑rata basis at the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee meeting scheduled for July 28. Karnataka cites drought and Bengaluru’s water needs for refusing further releases, while Tamil Nadu urges compliance with court‑ordered shares to sustain irrigation in its delta districts.