Cauvery water row | Karnataka complies with directives, releases 5,000 cusecs to TN

Karnataka has begun releasing Cauvery water from its reservoirs to Tamil Nadu in compliance with CWMA directives. Outflow from KRS is 4,398 cusecs, Kabini 2,000 cusecs, totalling 6,398 cusecs. This is to meet the SC order to release 5,000 cusecs for 15 days.

In compliance with the directives of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), Karnataka has begun releasing water from its reservoirs to Tamil Nadu and the outflow from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir across the river Cauvery in Mandya district has been stepped up.

The outflow into the river is at the rate of 4,398 cusecs against an inflow of 2,300 cusecs as on Wednesday.

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The rate of outflow was 2,292 cusecs at 8 p.m. on Tuesday but the outflow from the dam was stepped up from around 11 p.m. The outflow from the Kabini reservoir in Mysuru district was at the rate of 2,000 cusecs as on 8 a.m. on Wednesday and the cumulative outflow from both the reservoirs will be around 6,398 cusecs.

The CWMA on Tuesday had directed the State to ensure 5,000 cusecs of water at Biligundulu on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border for 15 days up to September 12.

Though the State had strongly argued against its inability to release water, the CMWA upheld the recommendations made by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee to release 5,000 cusecs.

Various farmers organisations have threatened to launch an agitation in case the water is released but the State Government’s decision to comply with the CWMA directives is also seen as an attempt to avoid strictures from the Supreme Court, which is also seized of the matter, and the issue is slated to come up for hearing during the week.