Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Cauvery Protests Intensify Over KRS Water Release to Tamil Nadu
Farmers in Karnataka are protesting water being sent from the KRS dam to Tamil Nadu.
They say the dam has only 109 feet of water.
They worry Karnataka’s farmers may not have enough water for their crops.
Farmers held a sit-in protest in Mandya.
Kannada Sena activists supported them by blocking a highway.
A water authority supported releasing 12,000 cusecs for 15 days starting August 12.
Tamil Nadu asked the Supreme Court to tell Karnataka to follow that order.
Karnataka leaders also discussed drought concerns and a proposed reservoir at Mekedatu.
Farmers intensified protests in Mandya over water released from the KRS dam to Tamil Nadu.
Protesters said the dam held only 109 feet of water and demanded that releases stop.
Kannada Sena activists blocked the old Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in support of the farmers’ protest.
The CWMA upheld a recommendation to release 12,000 cusecs for 15 days from August 12.
Tamil Nadu approached the Supreme Court seeking Karnataka’s compliance with the CWMA order.
- Who
- Farmers, Kannada Sena activists, Karnataka leaders and the Tamil Nadu government are involved.
- What
- Protests intensified over water released from the KRS dam to Tamil Nadu, while Tamil Nadu sought enforcement of a CWMA order.
- When
- The protests were reported on August 20; the recommended release began on August 12 for 15 days.
- Where
- Protests took place at Sanjay Circle and on the old Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in Mandya; the dispute concerns the Cauvery basin.
- Why
- Protesters said the KRS dam’s water level was low and Karnataka’s farmers needed water, while Tamil Nadu sought compliance with the CWMA order.
Karnataka Protesters and Leaders
Tamil Nadu and Water Authorities
Whether water should be released
Karnataka Protesters and Leaders
Farmers, Kannada Sena activists and Mandya MLA Ravi Kumar Gowda demanded that releases to Tamil Nadu stop, arguing that Karnataka’s farmers need water and the dam level is low.
Tamil Nadu and Water Authorities
Tamil Nadu sought a Supreme Court direction requiring Karnataka to respect the CWMA order upholding the recommended release.
Assessment of Karnataka’s water needs
Karnataka Protesters and Leaders
Protesters and Karnataka leaders said the available water was insufficient and described the situation as a severe drought affecting farmers.
Tamil Nadu and Water Authorities
The CWMA upheld the CWRC recommendation for a specified release of 12,000 cusecs for 15 days.
Response to the dispute
Karnataka Protesters and Leaders
Karnataka leaders called for a legislative session, and D K Shivakumar proposed a balancing reservoir at Mekedatu.
Tamil Nadu and Water Authorities
Tamil Nadu pursued judicial enforcement of the existing CWMA order.
- Main protest location
- Sanjay Circle and the old Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in Mandya
- Dam involved
- KRS dam
- Water level cited by protesters
- 109 feet
- Recommended release
- 12,000 cusecs for 15 days starting August 12
- Regulatory decision
- The Cauvery Water Management Authority upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s recommendation
- Tamil Nadu’s legal action
- The state approached the Supreme Court seeking a direction for Karnataka to respect the CWMA order
- Karnataka proposal
- Chief Minister D K Shivakumar proposed a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery at Mekedatu near Kanakapura
