Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Cauvery water dispute hearing postponed to August 17
India has two big states, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, that are arguing about the water of a shared river called the Cauvery.
The Supreme Court, a very important court, helps solve fights like this.
A special water group called the CWMA said Karnataka should release a certain amount of water so farms downstream could get it.
Tamil Nadu says Karnataka has not done this, and its farmers are worried.
Farmers in the river delta need the water to grow their crops, and millions of people depend on those farms.
The Court was going to talk about this case on August 13.
But one of the judges, Justice Vikram Nath, is sick with a fever.
So the case was moved to August 17 instead.
Until the court meets, the water problem stays unresolved and young crops may keep withering for lack of water.
The Supreme Court has posted the Cauvery water dispute to August 17 because Justice Vikram Nath, who heads the allocated Bench, is down with viral fever.
Tamil Nadu had sought an order for Karnataka to implement the CWMA's July 30 decision releasing 3,500 cusecs for 15 days, or 4.536 TMC, on or before August 12.
DMK, represented by senior advocate P. Wilson, asked the court to direct release of about 7,000 cusecs daily at Biligundlu for 15 days, with CWMA monitoring and a compliance report.
The application alleged Karnataka has 'neither released the water nor evinced the slightest intention of doing so' despite binding CWRC and CWMA directions.
About 14.913 lakh acres in the Cauvery delta depend on the Mettur reservoir for irrigation; around 4 million farmers and 10 million agricultural labourers depend on it, and the Kuruvai crop is withering for want of water.
- Who
- State of Tamil Nadu and the DMK (petitioners seeking water releases), with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant noting the case is assigned to the Bench of Justice Vikram Nath.
- What
- The Supreme Court postponed the Cauvery water dispute hearing from August 13 to August 17; Tamil Nadu seeks an order directing Karnataka to implement the CWMA's July 30 decision to release 3,500 cusecs for 15 days.
- When
- August 12, 2026 (hearing now set for August 17, 2026).
- Where
- Supreme Court of India, in the Cauvery river dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
- Why
- Justice Vikram Nath, the presiding judge of the assigned Bench, is down with viral fever.
- Dispute
- Cauvery water sharing between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
- Next hearing
- August 17, 2026
- Earlier listed date
- August 13, 2026
- Reason for postponement
- Justice Vikram Nath down with viral fever
- CWMA decision (July 30)
- Release of 3,500 cusecs for 15 days from Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara reservoirs
- Tamil Nadu demand
- 4.536 TMC (3,500 cusecs for 15 days) on or before August 12
- DMK demand
- About 7,000 cusecs daily at Biligundlu for 15 days; CWMA compliance report
- Delta dependence
- 14.913 lakh acres; about 4 million farmers and 10 million agricultural labourers dependent on Mettur water