Archive · 9 Oct 2026
CWRC Orders Karnataka to Release Cauvery Water to Tamil Nadu
A committee that helps manage Cauvery River water has told Karnataka to send water to Tamil Nadu.
It ordered a flow of 3,000 cusecs for the next 15 days.
Karnataka had asked for a smaller release because it says there has not been enough rain.
The state says its reservoirs have about 49 TMC of water altogether.
It also says many areas are facing severe drought.
Karnataka wants to keep enough water for people to drink through next June.
It had asked for the release to be reduced to 2,000 cusecs.
The committee did not grant that request and ordered 3,000 cusecs instead.
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directed Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
Karnataka had asked authorities to reduce the release from 4,000 cusecs to 2,000 cusecs.
Karnataka cited inadequate monsoon rainfall and declining inflows into Cauvery basin reservoirs.
The state said its four major Cauvery basin reservoirs held about 49 TMC of water collectively.
Karnataka said 47 Cauvery basin taluks were severely drought-hit and emphasized preserving water for drinking needs.
- Who
- The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directed Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu.
- What
- A release of 3,000 cusecs of Cauvery water for 15 days.
- When
- The article does not give the date of the directive.
- Where
- The Cauvery basin, with water directed to Tamil Nadu; Karnataka cited reservoirs including Krishnaraja Sagar and Kabini.
- Why
- Karnataka had requested a reduced release, citing poor monsoon rainfall, falling reservoir inflows, drought, and the need to preserve drinking water.
Karnataka's position
CWRC's directive
Amount of water to release
Karnataka's position
Karnataka asked for the release to be reduced from 4,000 cusecs to 2,000 cusecs.
CWRC's directive
The CWRC directed Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
Water availability and need
Karnataka's position
Karnataka said weak rainfall and declining inflows had left limited reservoir supplies, which it needed to preserve for drinking water.
CWRC's directive
The directive required a 3,000-cusec release despite Karnataka's request; the article does not state the committee's reasoning.
- Ordered release
- 3,000 cusecs
- Release period
- 15 days
- Previous release level cited
- 4,000 cusecs
- Karnataka's requested release
- 2,000 cusecs
- Water in four major Cauvery basin reservoirs
- About 49 TMC, according to Karnataka
- Severely drought-hit Cauvery basin taluks
- 47, according to Karnataka
- Drinking-water planning horizon cited by Karnataka
- Until next June