CWRC recommends 4,000 cusecs daily release to Tamil Nadu

 Bengaluru: The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has recommended that Karnataka ensure a daily release of 4,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days, amid Karnataka’s concerns over declining inflows and drought conditions in its Cauvery basin.

The recommendation was made during a meeting of the CWRC chaired by Vineet Gupta in New Delhi. The decision comes amid a continuing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the availability and release of Cauvery water.

Karnataka has maintained that its reservoirs are witnessing reduced inflows and that the state is facing water stress. The state has also pointed to drought conditions affecting large parts of the Cauvery basin while opposing demands for higher releases.

Reacting to the latest recommendation, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the inflows into Karnataka’s Cauvery reservoirs had declined and indicated that the state would challenge the recommendation. “There is pressure on us, but there is no rain,” he said, adding that he would discuss the matter with officials and take further steps.

The latest recommendation comes after a series of directions this year concerning Cauvery releases. In September, the Cauvery Water Management Authority had upheld an earlier CWRC recommendation for Karnataka to ensure 6,000 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days. Karnataka had expressed reservations over that direction, citing water scarcity and declining reservoir inflows.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is also hearing Tamil Nadu’s plea over alleged shortfall in Karnataka’s compliance with CWMA directions. On Thursday, the court directed Karnataka to continue complying with the existing CWMA arrangement and sought its response within a week. The matter has been posted for October 12.