Tamil Nadu Moves Supreme Court Over Cauvery Water Dispute Amid Rising Reservoir Levels in Karnataka

The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court seeking directions for Karnataka to implement a July 30 decision by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to release 3,500 cusecs of water per day for 15 days. Tamil Nadu alleges that Karnataka has willfully disobeyed directions from the CWMA and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) despite improved water storage levels following recent heavy rainfall in the Cauvery catchment areas. The state has requested that Karnataka release 4.536 TMC of water by August 12 and make good on a cumulative shortfall of 26.954 TMC since June 1.

Data from Karnataka indicates a significant rise in reservoir levels. The Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir breached the 100 foot mark on August 3, reaching 102.09 feet. Inflow into the KRS dam rose from 2,100 cusecs on July 27 to 32,149 cusecs by August 3. Similarly, the Kabini dam reached a live storage of 18.68 TMC against a maximum capacity of 19.52 TMC, leading to the discharge of 25,000 cusecs of water. This discharge caused the Kapila river to swell, partially submerging the 16 pillared mantapa at Nanjangud and prompting flood warnings for residents on the river banks.

In Tamil Nadu, the water shortage has sparked protests among farmers in the delta districts of Thanjavur and Nagapattinam. Protesters from the Desiya Thennindhiya Nathigal Innaipu Vivasayigal Sangam staged a demonstration by burying themselves in sand in Tiruchirappalli. They demanded compensation and accused the Karnataka government of refusing to release water despite the full reservoirs. Political opposition from the DMK and AIADMK has also intensified, with leaders criticizing the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government for negligence and demanding loan waivers and drought affected area declarations.

Reporting on the event varies by political lean. Center left coverage focuses on the hydrological data and the relief that increased reservoir levels bring to Karnataka farmers. Center right coverage frames the situation as a legal and humanitarian crisis, emphasizing Karnataka's alleged non compliance with water sharing orders and the resulting distress of farmers in Tamil Nadu.