# Cauvery dispute: Water scarcity, dam protests, and legal aid > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cauvery-water-dispute-between-tamil-nadu-and-karnataka > Updated: 2026-09-11T12:27:14.000Z. Sources: 66. Developments: 18. The Cauvery water-sharing dispute has intensified as farmer organizations in Tamil Nadu prepare for a five-day statewide protest beginning September 20. The Coordination Committee of All Farmers' Associations of Tamil Nadu is opposing Karnataka’s Mekedatu Dam project, labeling its Detailed Project Report as “fraudulent” and legally invalid due to a lack of consent from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). Farmers have proposed constructing a dam at Rasimanal in Tamil Nadu as an alternative. Water scarcity has escalated following declining rainfall and inflows in upper catchment areas. Karnataka has reduced Cauvery water releases to Tamil Nadu by approximately 57 per cent, with total discharge from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs falling to 5,200 cubic feet per second. At the KRS reservoir, water levels have dropped to 106.84 feet against a capacity of 124.80 feet, while the Kabini reservoir sits 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. In response to the crisis, the Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear Karnataka’s appeal on September 14. Karnataka is challenging a direction from the CWMA that upheld a recommendation to ensure a daily flow of 6,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy stated that the state is releasing the lowest quantity of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in 20 years, yet legal experts advised continuing releases until the hearing to avoid jeopardizing their petition. The state is currently using a rotational system to manage crop supplies and preserve drinking water reserves for the period between December and June. ## Claims - The Cauvery Water Management Authority ordered Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days starting 29 July. (disputed by 13 sources) - The CWMA ordered Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days starting August 12. (disputed by 6 sources) - Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar convened an all‑party meeting on 2 August to discuss the state's legal and political response to the Cauvery water dispute. (disputed by 4 sources) - Karnataka postponed an all‑party meeting scheduled for early August because the atmosphere was not conducive for discussions on the water dispute. (disputed by 3 sources) - The Kabini reservoir in Karnataka is now full. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The Cauvery Water Management Authority ordered the release of 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Karnataka has not released any water to Tamil Nadu despite the CWMA order. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Tamil Nadu government filed a petition before the Supreme Court on 3 August 2026 seeking directions to ensure release of Cauvery water from Karnataka. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The Cauvery Water Management Authority ratified the CWRC order on 30 July 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Karnataka's reservoirs held a total of 77.537 TMC of water, with 67.517 TMC usable, as of 3 August 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Tamil Nadu claims entitlement to receive 26.954 TMC of water at Biligundlu, higher than the CWMA's allocation of 4.536 TMC. (corroborated by 7 sources) - CWRC recommended Karnataka release 3,500 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, totaling about 4 TMC. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Karnataka Cauvery water appeal to be heard by Supreme Court on Sep 14 The Supreme Court of India will hear Karnataka’s appeal on September 14 regarding the mandatory release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu amid acute water shortages in the state. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karnataka-cauvery-water-appeal-to-be-heard-by-supreme-court-on-sep-14 ### 2026-09-08: Karnataka reduces Cauvery water releases to Tamil Nadu by 57 per cent Karnataka has cut Cauvery water releases to Tamil Nadu by 57 per cent following a decline in rainfall, intensifying long-standing disputes over water sharing and irrigation needs. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karnataka-reduces-cauvery-water-releases-to-tamil-nadu-by-57-per-cent ### 2026-09-06: Cauvery water management authorities to meet in Delhi over scarcity The CWRC and CWMA will meet in New Delhi to discuss Cauvery water sharing as Karnataka faces severe drought and a significant monsoon deficit. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cauvery-water-management-authorities-to-meet-in-delhi-over-scarcity ### 2026-09-04: Cauvery water dispute escalates as Tamil Nadu farmers plan protests Tamil Nadu farmer groups have announced a five-day protest against the Mekedatu Dam project and are demanding ₹1 lakh crore in damages from Karnataka over alleged failures to release Cauvery water. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cauvery-water-dispute-escalates-as-tamil-nadu-farmers-plan-protests ### 2026-09-02: Cauvery farmers demand extension of Mettur Dam water release Tamil Nadu Cauvery farmers are demanding the government extend water release from the Mettur Dam until late January and have announced a protest march against the Megathattu Dam project. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cauvery-farmers-demand-extension-of-mettur-dam-water-release ### 2026-08-31: Cauvery water dispute: Supreme Court defers hearing amid release claims The Supreme Court deferred the Cauvery water dispute to September 15 as Tamil Nadu alleges water shortfalls despite Karnataka's claims of meeting the 9,000 cusecs release requirement. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cauvery-water-dispute-supreme-court-defers-hearing-amid-release-claims ### 2026-08-25: Cauvery Water Authority orders daily water release to Tamil Nadu The CWMA has ordered Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, sparking major farmer protests and planned marches toward the KRS reservoir. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cauvery-water-authority-orders-daily-water-release-to-tamil-nadu ### 2026-08-24: Supreme Court directs Tamil Nadu to approach CWMA over Cauvery water dispute The Supreme Court of India has told Tamil Nadu to take up its grievances regarding the proportionate share of Cauvery water with the Cauvery Water Management Authority. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/supreme-court-directs-tamil-nadu-to-approach-cwma-over-cauvery-water-dispute ### 2026-08-19: Tamil Nadu challenges central water guidelines in Supreme Court Tamil Nadu is seeking Supreme Court intervention to quash central water guidelines it claims favor Karnataka’s Mekedatu dam, while Chief Minister Vijay urges compliance with Cauvery water dispute verdicts. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tamil-nadu-challenges-central-water-guidelines-in-supreme-court ### 2026-08-16: Supreme Court directs Karnataka to comply with Cauvery water release orders The Supreme Court directed Karnataka to comply with CWMA water release orders to Tamil Nadu and agreed to consider a fresh bench for a review plea regarding the ownership of a Bengaluru temple. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/supreme-court-addresses-cauvery-water-dispute-between-karnataka-and-tamil-nadu ### 2026-08-14: Karnataka government denies allegations of secret Cauvery water release Karnataka officials deny allegations from BJP leaders and activists that the state has been secretly releasing Cauvery water from the KRS Dam to Tamil Nadu despite local water shortages. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karnataka-bjp-alleges-secret-cauvery-water-release-to-tamil-nadu ### 2026-08-10: Cauvery water dispute: Karnataka explores legal options against CWMA release order The CWMA has ordered Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Karnataka is exploring legal challenges, citing severe drought and low reservoir inflows. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/supreme-court-to-hear-tamil-nadu-plea-over-cauvery-water-release ### 2026-08-02: Tamil Nadu files Supreme Court petition over Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka Tamil Nadu filed a Supreme Court petition on 3 Aug 2026 to enforce Cauvery water release from Karnataka after the CWRC ordered 3,500 cusecs, but Karnataka delivered only 158–550 cusecs despite ample reservoir储. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karnataka-refuses-to-release-cauvery-water-to-tamil-nadu-despite-cwma-order ### 2026-08-02: Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar on Cauvery dispute, cabinet reshuffle and flood response Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar pledged to protect farmers in the Cauvery dispute, urged cancellation of a bandh, oversaw a cabinet reshuffle, assigned ministers to assess flood and drought, and faced BJP criticism 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karnataka-seeks-strong-supreme-court-case-on-cauvery-water-dispute ### 2026-07-31: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar leads all‑party meeting on Cauvery water dispute Karnataka’s D.K. Shivakumar chaired an all‑party meeting on 2 Aug 2026, urging no bandh, noting 30‑35 % monsoon, a full Kabini reservoir, and a court‑backed Mekedatu project, while confirming a 3,500 cusec Cau­ 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tamil-nadu-cm-c-joseph-vijay-isolated-over-cauvery-row-dmk-leader-m-k-stalin-calls-for-allparty-meet ### 2026-07-26: Karnataka ordered to release 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu CWRC ordered Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs/day of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days (~4 TMC); Karnataka cites water shortage and may appeal, while Tamil Nadu urges compliance and opposes the Mekedatu‑ 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tamil-nadu-minister-says-no-brick-will-be-laid-for-karnatakas-mekedatu-dam ### 2026-07-23: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to meet Karnataka CM Shivakumar over Cauvery water Tamil Nadu CM Vijay will meet Karnataka CM Shivakumar on Aug 3 to discuss Cauvery water sharing and oppose the Mekedatu dam, amid farmer concerns and criticism from former CM Stalin. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tamil-nadu-urges-centre-to-replace-cauvery-authority-as-karnataka-withholds-water ### 2026-07-21: Tamil Nadu and Karnataka dispute Cauvery water sharing as deficit widens A CWMA meeting in New Delhi could not resolve the Cauvery water dispute; Tamil Nadu has received just 12% of its share while Karnataka holds water but refuses releases, with a final pro‑rata decision set for 28 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tamil-nadu-and-karnataka-dispute-cauvery-water-sharing-as-deficit-widens --- Cite as: Cauvery dispute: Water scarcity, dam protests, and legal aid. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cauvery-water-dispute-between-tamil-nadu-and-karnataka