Cauvery Water Panel Orders Karnataka to Release 12,000 Cusecs Daily to Tamil Nadu
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water per day for 15 days to Tamil Nadu. Karnataka expressed concerns over water availability for its farmers and plans legal consultation.
Key takeaways
- The CWMA has ordered Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, starting August 12, 2026.
- Karnataka expressed concerns about water availability for its farmers and plans to consult legal experts.
- The CWMA stated Karnataka is in a comfortable position to comply with the release order.
- Karnataka had argued for reduced releases, citing severe hydrological distress in the Cauvery basin and lower-than-average inflows.
- Tamil Nadu requested substantial releases, citing a backlog and arguing for equitable water sharing.
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has affirmed a directive requiring Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily for 15 days to Tamil Nadu. This decision, made on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, mandates Karnataka to begin releases from Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
What Happened
The CWMA, meeting in Delhi, endorsed the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) order for Karnataka to supply the specified water volume. The Authority determined that Karnataka is in a position to comply, taking into account current storage levels, water inflows, and the seven-day meteorological forecast.
Key Facts
- The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) met on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
- The CWMA endorsed the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) directive.
- Karnataka is ordered to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily for 15 days to Tamil Nadu.
- Releases are to commence from Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
- Karnataka's Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, stated a decision on further action would follow an assessment of state water availability.
- Karnataka's Chief Minister is scheduled to meet legal experts and bureaucrats on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
- CWMA chairperson Saumitra Kumar Haldar indicated Karnataka is in a "comfortable position" to meet the order.
Background
Karnataka had previously appealed for a deferral of any new release decisions until after the South-west monsoon, or alternatively, a reduction in the daily release to 10,000 cusecs. The state argued that the Cauvery basin is experiencing severe hydrological distress, with cumulative inflows to its four reservoirs at only 77.746 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) this water year, approximately 47% below the 30-year average. Karnataka also cited declining inflows and argued it had already exceeded prescribed flow rates at Biligundlu. The state contended that Tamil Nadu possesses sufficient storage and benefits from the anticipated north-east monsoon.
Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, requested releases totaling 37 tmc ft by the end of August, citing a backlog and pro-rata entitlements. Tamil Nadu contested Karnataka's reasoning regarding drinking water contingencies for Bengaluru and argued its basin area faced a 36% rainfall deficit, more severe than upstream deficits in Karnataka.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
