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Cauvery dispute: Water scarcity, dam protests, and legal aid

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2026-09-08 03:35 UTC → 2026-09-11 13:04 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Cauvery dispute: Water scarcity, dam protests, and ~~meetings~~ legal aid

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. In a separate escalation, P Ayyakannu, president of the South Indian Rivers Linking Farmers’ Association, has called on the Tamil Nadu government to seek ₹1 lakh crore in damages from Karnataka through the Supreme Court. Ayyakannu alleges Karnataka is releasing only 7,000 cusecs instead of the required 18,000 cusecs. Karnataka farmer leaders have countered, noting that over 120 taluks in the state are facing drought conditions. Amidst a significant monsoon deficit, the Cauvery Water ~~Management Committee (CWRC)~~ scarcity has escalated following declining rainfall and ~~the CWMA are scheduled to meet in New Delhi to address scarcity. Reservoir~~ inflows in the basin have reportedly dropped from 20,000 to 10,000 cusecs. Karnataka officials intend to present the reality of their water shortage, noting that while 32 TMC has been released, current levels may not permit further releases, as the state requires 48 TMC to meet drinking needs through July. Tamil Nadu is expected to maintain its demand for the release of pending water volumes in accordance with previous committee and Supreme Court orders. Recent data indicates upper catchment areas. Karnataka has reduced Cauvery water releases to Tamil Nadu by approximately 57 per ~~cent due to declining rainfall and inflows. Total~~ cent, with total discharge from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs ~~fell~~ falling to 5,200 cubic feet per ~~second, down~~ 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 ~~11,983~~ 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 ~~previous day.~~ 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.

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