Karnataka Agrees to Release Cauvery Water Despite Drought Appeals

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that Karnataka will comply with a Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) order to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. This decision follows the CWMA's July 30 rejection of Karnataka's appeal, resulting in a total release of approximately 4.5 TMC, which is lower than the 9.94 TMC requested by Tamil Nadu.

Speaking in Mysuru, Shivakumar urged protesters to call off their agitations, explaining that water must be released once the Kabini reservoir is full. He emphasized that while the state remains committed to safeguarding its farmers, it must respect legal orders. To determine the state's next steps, Shivakumar has convened an all-party meeting for Sunday.

Concurrent with the water release, Minister Priyank Kharge appealed to the Central Government to simplify drought management guidelines, arguing that rules should be applied only after the rainy season is complete. Kharge also criticized Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, claiming he has failed to protect the interests of Karnataka at the national level.

Union Minister V Somanna expressed caution regarding the release, stating that Karnataka should not provide water to other states while facing its own serious shortages. However, he acknowledged that stakeholders must adhere to the directives of the Supreme Court and the constitutional framework.