Cauvery Water Dispute: SC asks Tamil Nadu to approach CWMA over Karnataka's water release

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, however, noted that Karnataka had already released water in compliance with the directions issued by the CWMA.

The Supreme Court on Monday asked Tamil Nadu to take up its grievance with the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) that Karnataka was not releasing the State's proportionate share of Cauvery water. Appearing for Tamil Nadu, the counsel submitted that the State was not receiving the proportionate quantity of water it was entitled to.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, however, noted that Karnataka had already released water in compliance with the directions issued by the CWMA. "You have already received the water as directed by CWMA," the bench observed while hearing Tamil Nadu's plea seeking directions for the release of its due share of Cauvery water.

Tamil Nadu's counsel disputed this, submitting that the CWMA had not directed Karnataka to release the proportionate quantity of water that Tamil Nadu was entitled to receive. In view of the dispute, the bench asked Tamil Nadu to approach the CWMA and raise the issue before the authority.

The matter will next be taken up on August 31. On August 17, the top court had asked the Karnataka government to ensure compliance with the CWMA directions on the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu has approached the top court seeking enforcement of a decision by the CWMA directing Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water daily for 15 days. Tamil Nadu government moved the top court on August 3, challenging the non-implementation of the CWMA's July 30 direction for the release of water from Karnataka's Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara reservoirs.

The State has sought a total release of 4.536 TMC of water, corresponding to 3,500 cusecs per day over 15 days. It has urged that the stipulated quantity be released by August 12. It sought directions to resolve the issue and ensure that Tamil Nadu receives its rightful share of Cauvery water within the stipulated time.

The DMK, the opposition party in the state, had also approached the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Karnataka government to immediately release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in accordance with the February 16, 2018 judgment of the apex court and subsequent directions issued by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). In an application filed in the long-pending Cauvery water dispute, the DMK, represented by its Farmers Wing Secretary AKS Vijayan, sought enforcement of the CWRC's July 28, 2026 direction, upheld by the CWMA on July 30, 2026, requiring Karnataka to ensure a flow of 3,500 cusecs per day at Biligundlu for 15 days commencing July 29.

The application sought direction to the CWMA to monitor the releases from the reservoirs of Karnataka and the flows realised at Biligundlu on a day-to-day basis and to report compliance to the apex court. The DMK contended that Karnataka has failed to comply with the binding directions despite their affirmation by the statutory authorities constituted under the Cauvery Water Management Scheme, 2018.

The applications come against the backdrop of the long-running dispute between the two States over the sharing of Cauvery river waters. (ANI)