Cauvery water row: Karnataka to move SC against 6,000-cusecs release to Tamil Nadu

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Sep 10, 2026: Karnataka is preparing to move the Supreme Court challenging orders directing the state to release 6,000 cusec of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu, Water Resources Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy said on Wednesday.

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) on Tuesday upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) recommendation directing Karnataka to ensure a flow of 6,000 cusec of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from September 9.

“The matter has been discussed at length with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and preparations are underway to file a petition before the top court tomorrow after consultations with the legal team,” Chaluvarayaswamy said.

Karnataka’s reservoir levels were currently “very critical” and the state does not have sufficient water to release, the minister said. “Right now, priority has to be given only to drinking water. At the same time, there is a need to fill dried-up lakes and tanks,” he said.

The situation could improve to some extent only if the state received good rainfall within a week of the Gowri-Ganesha festival, Chalavurayaswamy
said.

Chaluvarayaswamy said the government would seriously consider appointing a special advocate to represent Karnataka’s interests before the Supreme Court as suggested by former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai.