New Delhi/Bengaluru: The Karnataka government suffered a setback on Thursday after the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) directive to release 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days starting from July 29.
The CWRC had issued the order on July 28. Opposing the directive, Karnataka appealed before the CWMA, arguing that the state was facing severe drought conditions and an acute drinking water crisis.
Following the CWMA's decision, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also holds the water resources portfolio, convened an all-party meeting on August 2 to discuss the issue and decide the state's future course of action.
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said, "The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), at its meeting held today, has affirmed and endorsed the decision of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee on July 28, 2026, directing Karnataka to ensure a daily flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for a period of 15 days."
According to a note issued by the CMO, Karnataka had urged the authority to keep the CWRC's directive in abeyance for another fortnight, citing severe hydrological distress caused by deficient inflows.
The state informed the authority that inflows into its reservoirs were 65.65 per cent below the 30-year average due to the Super El Niño phenomenon and requested a review after assessing the evolving hydrological situation.
Karnataka also argued that Tamil Nadu enjoys a "dual advantage" as it would benefit from both water released from Karnataka and the forthcoming northeast monsoon, besides having substantial carryover storage from earlier releases.
It further contended that ensuring a flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu would require releasing nearly 7,000 cusecs because of dry river conditions and transmission losses. The state also stressed the need to conserve around 40 TMC of water to meet drinking water requirements until June 2027.
Tamil Nadu, however, urged the CWMA to direct Karnataka to increase the daily release beyond 3,500 cusecs, arguing that the prevailing hydrological situation warranted a higher quantum of water.
Earlier, Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed the decision, saying, "The Cauvery Water Management Authority has upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's order."
Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Shivakumar said, "An all-party meeting regarding the Cauvery water issue has been convened this Sunday (August 2) at my official residence, 'Krishna'."
He said former chief ministers, Members of Parliament and MLAs from the Cauvery basin had been invited.
"We have discussed this issue with Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and V. Somanna, as well as MPs Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai. They are making every effort for the welfare of the state," he said.
Asked about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's remarks advising Karnataka to approach the Union government, Shivakumar said, "I will not comment on that matter. We have no interest in fighting with each other. There is a law of the land. We must respect one another. The entire country must work together."
Protests erupt in Karnataka
The CWMA's decision triggered widespread protests across Karnataka, with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Kannada film personalities, farmer organisations and pro-Kannada groups demanding that no water be released to Tamil Nadu in view of the state's drought situation.
KFCC president Jayamala said, "We have always stood with farmers. If language survives, if people survive, and if our land and water remain with us, then we survive. Whenever these are threatened, we will always stand with the farmers."
Producer Rockline Venkatesh said all organisations affiliated with the Film Chamber would support the agitation over Karnataka's land, water and language.
Farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar urged the government to challenge the order in the Supreme Court.
"The state government should not accept this order under any circumstances. Farmers are already suffering because of drought and lack of rain. If we release the water now, we cannot bring it back. We will not accept it," he said, warning of statewide protests from Friday.
Meanwhile, Kannada activists intensified protests in Mandya by laying siege to a theatre screening Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's film Jana Nayagan, forcing the cancellation of the show. Protesters also tore down posters and submitted a memorandum urging the government not to release water to Tamil Nadu.
"Chief Minister Shivakumar, please tell them that we don't even have drinking water, nor do we have water for our livestock. People are in a desperate situation. Request them to give us some more time," one protester said.
Demonstrators also staged road blockades in Mandya and held protests in Mysuru carrying empty water pots, asserting that Karnataka could not spare "even a drop" of Cauvery water during the ongoing drinking water crisis.
Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj said pro-Kannada organisations would soon decide on a Karnataka bandh, while the Kannada Federation announced that it would meet on Friday to chalk out its future course of action.
