Archive · 12 Aug 2026
CWMA Orders Karnataka To Release 12,000 Cusecs Daily To Tamil Nadu
Two states in India, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, share water from a big river called the Cauvery.
Sometimes they disagree about how much water each state should get.
A special group called the Cauvery Water Management Authority makes rules to keep things fair.
This group told Karnataka to send a certain amount of water, 12,000 cusecs every day, to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
The water has to flow past a place called Biligundlu, starting on August 12.
Karnataka said it is having a dry year and does not have enough water to spare.
It wanted to send less water or to wait longer.
Tamil Nadu said Karnataka still has enough water and should send its fair share.
The Authority listened to both sides but decided Karnataka must send the water.
This might make some farmers in Karnataka unhappy because they also need water for their crops.
So the two states are working out how to share the river fairly.
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) ordered Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu for 15 days starting August 12, 2026.
The decision was taken at CWMA's 55th meeting on August 11, upholding the recommendations of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC).
Karnataka cited severe hydrological distress, with inflows into its four reservoirs 47 per cent below the 30-year average, and sought deferral or a reduction of the order to 10,000 cusecs.
Tamil Nadu countered that the rainfall deficit upstream was only 9 per cent and 19 per cent respectively, and demanded 37 TMC at Biligundlu by August 31, 2026.
The order is likely to intensify protests in Karnataka's Cauvery basin districts, where farmers and political leaders have demanded no releases to Tamil Nadu.
- Who
- The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), the governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC).
- What
- CWMA ordered Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu for 15 days from August 12, 2026.
- When
- The decision was taken at CWMA's 55th meeting on August 11, with releases starting 8 am on August 12, 2026.
- Where
- Biligundlu, on the Cauvery river, involving the Cauvery basin states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- To resolve the inter-state water sharing dispute, as Tamil Nadu demanded its share while Karnataka cited hydrological distress from deficient monsoon rains.
Karnataka's Position
Tamil Nadu's Position
Scope for Further Releases
Karnataka's Position
Karnataka says there is 'no scope for further releases' due to deficient monsoon, limited storage, and need to conserve water for drinking and Kharif agriculture.
Tamil Nadu's Position
Tamil Nadu says Karnataka's claim of reserving water for Bengaluru's one-year drinking needs is 'not justified' and should not deny its legitimate share.
Assessment of Distress
Karnataka's Position
Karnataka demands decisions based on actual hydrological realities and equitable distress sharing, warning of severe hydrological distress with 47 per cent below-average inflows.
Tamil Nadu's Position
Tamil Nadu cites IMD data showing only 9-19 per cent rainfall deficit upstream and a higher 36 per cent deficit downstream, questioning Karnataka's projected North-East Monsoon benefits.
Reservoir Operations
Karnataka's Position
Karnataka argues distress sharing must not be based only on its inflows and asks for transparent daily data from the Lower Coleroon Anicut and tail-end regulators.
Tamil Nadu's Position
Tamil Nadu says downstream flow is largely due to Kabini surplus/spills while KRS releases have not been effected, and demands regulation of releases from both KRS and Kabini.
- Ordering Authority
- Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA)
- Release Required
- 12,000 cusecs daily for 15 days from August 12, 2026
- Meeting
- CWMA's 55th meeting on August 11
- Karnataka Inflow Deficit
- 47 per cent below 30-year average at 77.746 TMC
- Karnataka's Current Release
- 86,942 cusecs against prescribed 52,500 cusecs
- Karnataka's Request
- Deferral of order or reduction to 10,000 cusecs
- Tamil Nadu's Demand
- 37 TMC at Biligundlu by August 31, 2026
- Rainfall Deficit
- 9 per cent upstream of KRS, 19 per cent upstream of Kabini, 36 per cent downstream of Biligundlu