In a recent statement, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has announced its decision regarding the ongoing Cauvery river water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The committee, during its 88th meeting, made critical decisions concerning water allocation and shortages, and the directive issued reads as follows:
“After deliberation, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) reached a decision. Karnataka has been mandated to ensure the release of water from its reservoirs in such a manner that the flow at Biligundlu is maintained at 3,000 cusecs. This directive is effective from 8 am on October 16, 2023, and is to be upheld until October 31, 2023.”
Karnataka, on the other hand, expressed its limitations regarding the release of water to Biligundlu, except for contributions from the uncontrolled catchment. The state presented a report to the CWRC indicating a substantial 50.891% shortfall in cumulative inflows to its reservoirs up to October 10, 2023. The report attributed this shortfall to extreme hydro-meteorological conditions.
Tamil Nadu, recognizing the gravity of the situation, formally requested Karnataka to take action, urging them to release 16,000 cusecs of water for the next 15 days.
In September of this year, the CWRC had previously ordered Karnataka to ensure the release of 3,000 cusecs of Cauvery water at Biligundlu from September 28 to October 15, 2023. In response to this order, Karnataka filed a review petition in both the Supreme Court and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
The Karnataka government cited a severe drought in parts of its state as the reason for refusing to supply water to Tamil Nadu. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated on October 5 that cumulative inflows into the reservoirs in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin were decreasing.
In parallel developments, the Tamil Nadu Assembly on October 9, 2023, adopted a resolution unanimously urging the Union government to direct Karnataka to release Cauvery water in compliance with the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority.
The ongoing dispute between the governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu regarding the sharing of Cauvery waters has persisted for a significant period and is of paramount importance, given the river’s status as a crucial source of sustenance for the people in both states.
The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) was formed by the central government on June 2, 1990, to address disputes between Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Puducherry regarding their individual water-sharing capacities.
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