Why Is The Cauvery Water Dispute Flaring Up Again?

The longstanding Cauvery water-sharing dispute has reignited tensions between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as the DMK-led government under MK Stalin approaches the Supreme Court, urging the neighboring state to release 24,000 cusecs of water.

Accusing Karnataka of withholding river water, the Tamil Nadu government contends that a unanimous decision was reached during a Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee meeting, mandating Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs per day for 15 days to Tamil Nadu. However, Karnataka allegedly provided only a reduced amount of 8,000 cusecs, according to Tamil Nadu's claims.

Tamil Nadu's Water Resources Minister, Duraimuruga, remarked that Karnataka's reluctance to share water with the state reflects their stance since the dispute's inception decades ago, as reported by PTI.

The Cauvery water-sharing dispute has a history of contention between the two southern states. The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) was established by the Centre on June 2, 1990, to address disagreements concerning water-sharing capacities among Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Puducherry.

In a 2018 ruling, the Supreme Court allotted 419 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of the Cauvery river's total 740 TMC water to Tamil Nadu. Karnataka received 270 TMC, Kerala 30 TMC, Puducherry 7 TMC, and 10 TMC was reserved for environmental protection. During a "normal" water year spanning from June to May, Karnataka is required to supply 177.25 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu according to a monthly release schedule, as per The Hindu. Of this, 123.14 TMC must be released between June and September, coinciding with the southwest monsoon period. Instances of water scarcity arise when monsoon rainfall falls short of expectations.

Karnataka's position on the matter stems from deficient rainfall in the Cauvery catchment area. The state's government has advised farmers to halt their sowing activities due to insufficient water storage for irrigation, as reported by the News Minute. Despite significant rainfall in July, the region is grappling with a water crisis. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has emphasized Karnataka's inability to release additional water.

Divergent stances between the two states have sparked protests in certain parts of Karnataka. On August 16, farmers in Srirangapatna urgently called for the cessation of water release.

Earlier on July 19, farmers associated with the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha had blocked the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, seeking water release to the Visvesvaraya canal, crucial for irrigation in Mysuru and Mandya districts. A similar situation occurred in 2016, leading to widespread protests across Karnataka.