CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday approached the Supreme Court, seeking directions against Karnataka for failing to release Cauvery water in accordance with the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
An official release said that the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), at its 139th meeting held on July 28, directed Karnataka to release water from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs to ensure the availability of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu from 8 a.m. on July 29 for a period of 15 days, ending August 12. The CWMA, at its 54th emergency meeting held on July 30, reviewed the hydrological and meteorological conditions in the Cauvery basin and endorsed the Committee's decision.
However, between July 29 and August 2, the actual flow received at Biligundlu ranged from only 158 to 550 cusecs, far below the quantity directed by the authorities.
"As of August 3, Karnataka's four major Cauvery basin reservoirs—KRS, Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathi—together held 77.537 tmcft of water, including a live storage of 67.517 tmcft. Karnataka is, therefore, in a position to release Tamil Nadu's proportionate share of water without difficulty," the release added.
The State government also pointed out that heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the KRS and Kabini reservoirs had led to a significant increase in inflows. "Based on the prevailing hydrological conditions, Tamil Nadu is entitled to receive 26.954 tmcft of water at Biligundlu under the principle of proportional sharing. The 4.536 tmcft directed to be released by the CWMA was itself inadequate in the changed circumstances," the government added.
Citing Karnataka's failure to release even the proportionate quantity of water due to Tamil Nadu, the State government said the Chief Minister, acting on the advice of senior counsel, instructed officials to approach the Supreme Court for appropriate relief.
Accordingly, a petition was filed before the Supreme Court on Monday seeking directions to resolve the issue and ensure that Tamil Nadu receives its rightful share of Cauvery water within the stipulated period.