CWMA asks Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to use their storage only for drinking water; orders status quo on releases

Taking a serious note of poor rainfall in the Cauvery basin, the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) that met in Delhi on Wednesday has directed both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to strictly confine use of their storage to drinking water purposes.

The CWMA, which is the apex body that monitors implementation of Cauvery water release to lower riparian States as per the Supreme Court’s verdict, directed both the States to maintain status quo with respect to water release and utilisation.

Grimmer times

According to sources, the CWMA referred to the IMD forecast that indicates further tough time in terms of rainfall in the coming days, and observed that it is going to be a distress year for the Cauvery basin.

The present storage in reservoirs of the Cauvery basin in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu could only take care of their drinking water requirements, the authority reportedly observed.

Warning both the States against using the water storage for other purposes including irrigation, the authority expressed confidence that it would be possible to prevent any drinking water shortage if the storage in reservoirs is judiciously used, sources said. The authority recalled that it had cautioned the States about possible distress in April and May itself.

At Wednesday’s meeting, it was also noted that Karnataka had released only 2.5 tmcft of water in June and 0.54 tmcft during July so far to Tamil Nadu, which is lower than that prescribed.

Review on June 28

Meanwhile, the situation will be reviewed on July 28 by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, which assists the CWMA in monitoring the storage, releases and other issues.

Karnataka is gripped by a serious drought marked by a rainfall deficit of about 35%. What has caused concern is that the Kodagu region that forms the biggest catchment area for the Cauvery besides being the point of origin for the river, is facing a huge rainfall shortage of 45%.

As of July 22, the cumulative storage from all the four reservoirs in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin accounts for 52% of their full storage capacity. Already, the Karnataka government has told farmers in command areas that water would not be released for irrigation purposes and the storage would be protected for drinking water requirements.