Karnataka CM Proposes Reduced Cauvery Water Release amid Shortfall

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced Karnataka's plan to release 8,000 cusecs of water daily from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu, instead of one TMC, citing reduced water levels in the Cauvery basin. An all-party meeting agreed on this decision, with plans to appeal to the Cauvery Water Management Authority if rainfall remains inadequate.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Sunday that the Karnataka government is prepared to release 8,000 cusecs of water daily from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu, replacing the previously directed one TMC per day, by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, until the end of the month.

The Chief Minister explained, following an all-party meeting, Karnataka's current water levels are insufficient to meet the one TMC daily release. Only 63 per cent of water remains in the Cauvery basin dams, Siddaramaiah informed reporters.

Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, opposition leader R Ashoka, JD(S) MLA G T Deve Gowda, farmer leaders, and legal experts attended the meeting. The consensus was to release only 8,000 cusecs of water daily. Should rainfall be lacking, an appeal will be made to the Cauvery Water Management Authority to minimize water release.

Siddaramaiah noted the Aarthiship's directive to release one TMC water daily starting from July 12. Under normal conditions, June and July typically see releases of 9.14 TMC and 31.24 TMC, respectively.

Advocate Mohan Katarki highlighted the low water levels, with the Krishnarajasagar dam at 54 per cent capacity, while other Cauvery basin dams hold only 63 per cent water.

On July 12, the inflow to Kabini was 5,000 cusecs, directing water towards Tamil Nadu. Kabini released 20,000 cusecs on July 12 and 19,000 cusecs the following day due to storage limitations.

Siddaramaiah stressed the unanimous decision among parties to contest the one TMC release in appeals. Katarki cautioned against outright refusal, advocating for the 8,000 cusec discharge, with adjustments depending on rainfall.

The Chief Minister underscored that 2023 has experienced scant rainfall, unlike a normal year’s 177 TMC release, stating only 81 TMC was released last year.