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Since June 1, the start of the current water year, four reservoirs of the Cauvery basin have received around 30 tmc ft, whereas Tamil Nadu has not even received four tmc ft, says an expert in Chennai
As deficient rainfall revives the Cauvery water dispute, this explainer examines the water-sharing framework, the legal regime, reservoir status, and the unresolved issue of distress sharing
The Cauvery Water Management Authority, which is the apex body that monitors implementation of Cauvery water release to lower riparian States as per the Supreme Court’s verdict, is meeting in Delhi to review the situation
CWMA referred to the IMD forecast that indicates tough time ahead with deficit monsoon
Alleging Karnataka’s reservoirs held sufficient water to release Tamil Nadu’s share, Dr. Anbumani said the CWMA lacked the authority to enforce its decisions or act against violations
The Chief Minister should have met the Prime Minister over this issue, but he has not, says DMK leader
Even after accounting for the deficient rainfall during the current Southwest monsoon, Tamil Nadu is estimated to be entitled to receive at least three thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft.) more, according to a representative of the State government
A proposed meeting between Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and his Tamil Nadu counterpart C Joseph Vijay has opened a fresh political channel to address the long-running Cauvery dispute, with both governments indicating a willingness to discuss water sharing and Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir amid worsening drought conditions across the basin
In a statement, Mr. Arjuna said the State government was resolved to protect the livelihood of farmers in the Cauvery delta, ensure the State’s drinking water security and safeguard Tamil Nadu’s legal rights over Cauvery waters.
CM Vijay aims to hold direct talks with Karnataka for water-sharing
According to farmers, direct talks could provoke unrest. "In the past, when such talks were called, contradictions arose, clashes have erupted," Pandian added.
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has said the Tamil Nadu CM Vijay should not have talks with the Karnataka CM over the Mekedatu dam issue. He said instead an all-party meeting should be held, a unanimous decision should be taken and that should be carried forward.
Karnataka has been contending that the proposed balancing reservoir-cum-drinking water project at Mekedatu in Kanakapura taluk of Bengaluru South district will not come in the way of the State releasing the stipulated quantum of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu
He pointed out that MoS Choudhary’s statement in the Rajya Sabha was contrary to the statement made by then Union Minister for Jal Shakti in Parliament on February 16, 2018
R. Ashok accused the Congress dispensation of failing to protect the interests of the State
Centre's Mekedatu stand disappointing, withdraw reply: Vijay writes to PM Modi
“We know that there is less water in our reservoirs due to low rainfall. But the water is being released after calculating our need for drinking water in the future months,” says Minister Yatindra Siddaramaiah
Opposing the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s direction to release 3,500 cusecs of the Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu daily for 15 days, president of Federation of Karnataka Farmers’ Organisations Kurubur Shanthakumar has urged the State government to persuade the Cauvery Management Authority for a reconsideration of the order
Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy says the state itself is gripped by serious shortage of water and will examine the possibility of filing an appeal against CWRC’s order before the Cauvery Water Management Authority
A large-scale conspiracy is under way to deny Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, and the Union government itself is a participant in it, says PMK leader
A significant percentage of water released from either KRS or Kabini will be lost by the time it reaches Biligundlu measuring gauge since the river bed is dry. The State also has to account for groundwater levels and channel losses
In January and February 1986 and 1987, Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran despatched his Ministers to Bengaluru to meet their counterparts and Karnataka Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde and persuade them to release water for saving the paddy crop raised during the long-term samba cultivation season
Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing disappointment over Union minister of state for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary’s statement that Karnataka need not obtain the consent of lower riparian states for the proposed Mekedatu reservoir, even as the state government confirmed that Vijay will visit Bengaluru next month for talks on the project
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee on Tuesday directed Karnataka to release 4 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu over the next 15 days, ordering a daily discharge of 3,500 cusecs despite the state’s contention that dwindling reservoir levels are sufficient only to meet drinking water needs
Rejecting the criticism against the CWRC and CWMA, Vineet Gupta recalled that during the water year of 2023-24, the two bodies had worked out a distress-sharing mechanism
He alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had appealed to farmers in Karnataka not to cultivate crops because of inadequate water availability while simultaneously releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu ‘to please the CM of that State’
Vijay vs DK Shivakumar: Why Tamil Nadu, Karnataka clashing again over a river?
On July 28, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directed Karnataka to ensure a flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu from July 29 for 15 days, amounting to a release of about 4 TMC of water
Farmers took to the streets in Mysuru and Mandya to voice their opposition to any move to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as per the directions of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy has said that the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s direction to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu will prove to be Karnataka’s ‘death knell’
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar says the State would request Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, during his proposed visit to Karnataka, to conduct an aerial inspection of the situation in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin to understand the ground realities
PMK leader slams the Congress and the BJP for “conspiring” against Tamil Nadu on Mekedatu
Madras High Court Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan are slated to hear the case on Thursday
P.R. Pandian, president of Coordination Committee of All Farmers’ Associations of Tamil Nadu, has urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to take his Karnataka counterpart on an aerial visit of delta districts
Makes the submission in response to a writ petition filed by AIADMK whip challenging the amendment carried out to the resolution
As on July 27, the coverage was 3.87 lakh acres compared to 5.05 lakh acres on the corresponding day last year
The Cauvery Water Management Authority ordered Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs daily. This directive mandates a total release of 4 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu. Karnataka had appealed the committee's order citing low reservoir levels and drought conditions. State officials stated reservoir levels were significantly lower than last year. Tamil Nadu representatives argued against Karnataka's plea, citing sufficient flow.
The Committee took into account net inflow to the four reservoirs in Karnataka during the current season and compared it with the 30-year-long data. CWRC chief Vineet Gupta, told The Hindu that the shortfall suffered by the reservoirs was to the extent of 60%
BENGALURU Karnataka’s effort to hold the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu failed on Thursday when the Cauvery Water Management Authority upheld an order requiring the state to ensure a flow of 3,500 cusecs a day for 15 days, despite its warnings that reservoir levels were already under severe pressure from drought
The main opposition party in Tamil Nadu, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), on Thursday criticised the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) over its seemingly ambiguous stand on the contentious Mekedatu dam issue, demanding that the state government convene an all-party meeting to protect the state’s rights on sharing the Cauvery river water with Karnataka
Kannada outfits, farmers stage demonstration near KRS Dam
The CWMA upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's recommendation to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Minister Nirmalkumar said the Chief Minister has been holding consultations with stakeholders and experts on the Mekedatu issue
“The atmosphere is not right at this point of time,” Mr. Shivakumar said, addressing a press meet.
Cauvery row heats up as DK Shivakumar postpones meeting with Tamil Nadu CM Vijay
Tamil film screenings have been halted across Karnataka until further notice. Protests erupted over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute, disrupting movie showings. Pro-Kannada groups announced a statewide bandh for August 13 against water release. Farmers and activists forced theatre owners to stop showing Tamil movies. The Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association extended the suspension to all state theatres.
Farmers and Kannada outfits have staged protests against the direction to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days
Expressing concern over the CWRC directive, the protesting farmers said Karnataka was facing drought-like conditions and farmers were in distress
AIADMK general secretary demands all-party meeting to discuss the issue
August 3 meeting between DK Shivakumar and C Joseph Vijay on Mekedatu postponed
Can the two States evolve a dynamic solution to a decades-old contention that can move beyond political rhetoric?
Mr. Kumaraswamy took strong exception to what he described as decisions being made ‘from air-conditioned rooms in Delhi’.
The 2018 division formula was built on the assumption that the river carried 740 tmcft water in a typical year. The problem is that water levels keep moving.
The protesters, who staged a demonstration outside the main entrance to the reservoir and attempted to march towards it, were taken into preventive custody by the police and released later.
Shivakumar says that it is a “reassuring sign” that inflows have increased into reservoirs in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin in the last two to three days
He questioned the purpose of calling an all-party meeting after releasing water for the last two months
DKS said the current atmosphere was not conducive for talks and that he would seek another date for discussions.
BENGALURU: Chief minister D K Shivakumar on Friday defended the proposed Mekedatu reservoir after the Centre returned the project’s detailed report for revisions, saying the scheme would primarily serve drinking water and power needs and would not be used for irrigation
He expressed deep concern over the suicide of a farmer couple in Hatna Bevukallu village of Mandya taluk, reportedly driven by mounting debt
PMK welcomes TN's decision to approach SC over Cauvery water dispute
“A legal battle is the only way to deal with a State that has consistently denied Tamil Nadu its rightful share of Cauvery water,” the DMK president said in a post on X
His appeal came after the Executive Engineer of the Kabini dam issued a flood alert stating that inflow into the reservoir had reached 15,500 cusecs on August 1
The Chief Minister should meet the Prime Minister in New Delhi on behalf of all political parties in Tamil Nadu, CPI leader R. Mutharasan said
"Our stance on Cauvery water is clear. We can only give water to our people, but the Chief Minister has also asked for cooperation. In the wake of the Prime Minister's arrival, the Chief Minister will personally appeal. Prahlad Joshi does not protect the interests of the state; he only speaks against the Chief Minister and us," Kharge said.
He stands isolated: MK Stalin corners CM Vijay over Cauvery issue with Karnataka
The Cauvery water-sharing issue, the pending expansion of the State Cabinet, the proposed Bidadi township project and the government’s drive to clear encroachments on footpaths all spring up their unique challenges
The DMK has petitioned the Supreme Court for immediate Cauvery water release from Karnataka. Karnataka's government faces a directive to release 3,500 cusecs daily for fifteen days. The plea also seeks to clear an accumulated water release shortfall of 9.46 TMC. Karnataka's Chief Minister urged protesters to withdraw their agitation against water releases. The state government will protect farmers' interests while respecting judicial orders.
They seek immediate water release from the Cauvery to save the standing kuruvai crop and prevent people from facing drinking water shortage in the months to come
She was leading the party’s protests against the proposed dam by Karnataka
Pointing out the urgency of the situation, the DMK said, “The present period is the most crucial period of the entire water year for the Cauvery Delta
Farmers matter more than politics: Shivakumar at all-party meet on Cauvery issue
TN minister rejects demand for all-party meeting to discuss Cauvery water issue
Anbumani says Mekedatu dam would block Cauvery flows to TN
Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar views the Mekedatu dam project as a permanent solution. He stated the Supreme Court and central government have already responded to the proposal. Shivakumar urged all stakeholders to move forward without further delays or wasting time. This project aims to bring both states to the table for amicable discussions. The Cauvery water dispute centers on sharing river waters during periods of low rainfall.
Mr. Vijay had intended to hold talks, but the meeting was deferred and decided to hold discussions after the situation in Cauvery improved, said Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar
The DMK has questioned why the chief minister is reluctant to call an all-party meeting.
Amid Cauvery row, DK Shivakumar thanks Vijay for delaying Bengaluru visit
Shivakumar says State closely watching the situation, including DMK’s petition in Supreme Court
Owing to rain, Karnataka government began releasing Cauvery water from Kabini on Saturday
The Cauvery dispute is a long-running water-sharing conflict between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with both states contesting allocations from the river.
Accusing the TVK Government of “sleeping over” a matter of immense importance to the State, Mr. Regupathy alleged Mr. Nirmalkumar had insulted the Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu as well as former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi through his remarks
No need for bandh, Karnataka will protect state's interests: DK Shivakumar
The former Chief Minister said that in the past, whether under the AIADMK government or the DMK government, consultations were held with all political parties and farmers’ groups whenever the Cauvery or Mekedatu issues arose.
It sought a direction to Karnataka to release the proportionate share of 26.954 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft.)
The DMK demanded measures to stop Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, the complete waiver of farmers’ loans, and the declaration of the delta districts as drought-affected
The realisation for the month did not even go past the one thousand million cubic feet-mark, with Biligundulu receiving only 0.698 tmcft against the State’s stipulated share of 31.24 tmcft
DMK Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson blames the Congress for ignoring the issue which he said affects nearly everyone in Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu government on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to Karnataka to immediately implement the July 30 decision of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and release 3,500 cusecs of water per day for 15 days from the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs, while also making good the accumulated shortfall in releases at the inter-state border point of Billigundulu
Hogenakkal records inflow of 18,000 cusecs. Ban imposed on bathing and coracle operations.
The crisis between Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Karnataka over the sharing of water from the Cauvery is not, by any means, a new one
Udhayanidhi Stalin said the DMK would raise the Cauvery issue in detail during the Assembly proceedings and expressed hope that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay “would break his silence” and respond to the Opposition’s questions
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay urges PM Modi to fast-track Godavari-Cauvery link
Udhayanidhi Stalin and Vijay engaged in a heated exchange
The Chief Minister in the State Assembly asserted whether it was the sharing of Cauvery water or the construction of the Mekedatu dam, his government would never compromise on Tamil Nadu’s rights
CM Vijay said he was "prepared to bear insults" if it meant opening talks on the Cauvery issue in the interest of the people of Tamil Nadu.
DMK is insisting on an all party meet on Mekedatu
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday (August 7, 2026) said it was his idea to visit Bengaluru to hold talks with the Karnataka government on the issue of sharing Cauvery water.
C Joseph Vijay, Tamil Nadu chief minister, said that his government is firm on dealing with the Cauvery issue legally and that there is no change about it.
Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday said he was prepared to face insults and even bear humiliation if necessary while travelling to neighbouring Karnataka to meet his counterpart DK Shivakumar over the Mekedatu dam issue
Mr. Nagaraj says Kannada activists will not allow any vehicle from Tamil Nadu to enter Karnataka at the inter-State border
The Southern Districts Farmers Association urged the Centre to consider the demand of Tamil Nadu and execute it in totality to improve the surface water source in the State.
T.N. Government said Karnataka had continued to defy the orders of the Cauvery Tribunal for allocation of water to its neighbour except a few times when there were inevitable surpluses in the reservoirs on account of floods
Karnataka bandh over Cauvery water row stays on despite differences among groups
As on date, the combined storage of four reservoirs in Karnataka was around 88 tmc ft. against the total capacity of 114.57 tmc ft.
The Supreme Court will on Thursday hear Tamil Nadu’s plea seeking directions to Karnataka to comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) decision to release 3,500 cusecs of water per day for 15 days from the Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara reservoirs
Centre told Rajya Sabha on Monday that the CWMA had been mandated with the responsibility of playing the role of a regulator and implementer of the award as modified by the Supreme Court
Karnataka will review its water availability before deciding whether to comply with an order to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, chief minister D
The case was expected to be heard on August 13 regarding Tamil Nadu’s plea for Karnataka to implement a July 30 CWMA decision to release 3500 cusecs for 15 days from its Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara reservoirs
Banks, hospitals, pharmacies and public transport and other essential services are likely to remain unaffected during the bandh.
Saumitra Kumar Haldar says he has asked the Cauvery basin States to “conserve the available water” and “use it judiciously”
Karnataka says releasing 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu difficult
Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: Bengaluru City Police have appealed for calm and cooperation ahead of the 'Karnataka Bandh' called for August 13, 2026, saying that they fully respect citizens' democratic right to protest peacefully within the law.
Karnataka is observing a day-long bandh today in protest against CWMA's order to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12.
Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) chairperson called for the establishment of a river board that will “own, operate, manage, and regulate” reservoirs in the entire Cauvery basin; experience of intra-State river boards are not encouraging
Tamil Nadu maintained that only 19.49% of the allocated Cauvery water has been realised from Karnataka
The release of Cauvery water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu has sparked debates, particularly after a BJP claim that water was released late at night from KRS. This event holds substantial implications for farmers and political groups in Mandya. Karnataka is set to appeal the water release directive in the Supreme Court, with officials proposing that a limited release could indicate compliance as they navigate the legal battle.
Tamil Nadu approached the top court on August 3, arguing that it was not receiving its allocated share of Cauvery water despite the state facing a rain-deficient year. The state government has alleged that both the quantity recommended for release by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee and the actual water supplied by Karnataka were far below its requirement.
The bench was hearing Tamil Nadu’s plea seeking implementation of the CWMA’s decision directing Karnataka to release water to the state
The court said it would watch the progress while seeking a fresh status report. It posted the case to August 24
The bench asked Karnataka to ensure compliance with the CWMA directions.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed Karnataka to ensure compliance with the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) directions on releasing water to Tamil Nadu, while deciding to wait another week to assess whether the state continues to honour the water-sharing order, noting that Tamil Nadu currently had sufficient water and no immediate intervention was required
CM Shivakumar rejects TN's demand for CBI probe into killing of 'poachers'
Mekedatu Row: Karnataka Pitches Cauvery Water Cooperation To Union Minister Amit Shah
DK Shivakumar assures Tamil Nadu, Puducherry over Mekedatu at meet with Amit Shah
TN Assembly Row Over Corruption Files & Cauvery Water Dispute Escalates Over Mekedatu Dam
It says the demand is based on the principle of pro-rata share in the flows realised. The Cauvery tribunal and the SC had referred to the concept of pro-rata for adoption in times of distress
40% delta land may go uncultivated: Anbumani flags Mettur crisis, seeks aid
The State’s response refers to international practices to revisit inter-State water allocations by agreement or adjudication in the changed circumstances, known as rebus sic stantibus
Cauvery dispute: SC reserves order as Karnataka cites drought over 11 TMC
Tamil Nadu says 11.719 tmcft shortfall is hurting Samba cultivation; Karnataka cites water scarcity and drinking-water needs as court reserves order
The failure of the southwest monsoon (June-September) this year is the primary reason for the current round of disputes between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
A committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner has been constituted to make arrangements for providing alternative land for the 5,000 hectares belonging to the Forest Department that will be submerged in the project