Cauvery Water Dispute: Karnataka Ordered To Release 1 TMC Daily To Tamil Nadu, Siddaramaiah Calls For Meeting

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Friday that the state government would appeal to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) against the directive from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to release 1 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet) of water daily to Tamil Nadu.

"Despite forecasts suggesting normal rainfall, there has been a 28% deficit in inflows so far. We clearly conveyed our stance to the CWRC, urging them to defer any decision until the end of July," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated during a press briefing following a meeting with ministers and senior officials at Krishna, Home Office.

He indicated that the state's next course of action would be decided at an all-party meeting scheduled for July 14. "On the water issue, Karnataka stands united, which is why we have called for an all-party gathering," Siddaramaiah added.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the meeting would include Central ministers, members of Parliament from the Cauvery basin, and state MLAs.

The CWRC's directive mandates Karnataka to commence releasing 1 TMC of water daily from July 12 onwards.

"In today's meeting, it was decided that the state government will appeal this directive to the CWMA," Siddaramaiah affirmed.

He also noted that water releases equivalent to inflows into the Kabini Dam are being made to Tamil Nadu, measured at Biligundlu.

"With only 60 TMC of water available across all four Cauvery basin reservoirs, and considering agricultural needs amidst deficient rainfall, we have requested a delay in action until the end of July," the Chief Minister emphasized.