However, Tamil Nadu alleged that following the CWRC’s order, the inflow recorded at Billigundulu between July 29 and August 3 ranged between only 158 cusecs and 550 cusecs, far below the mandated 3,500 cusecs.
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The Tamil Nadu government on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to ensure Karnataka releases the State’s due share of Cauvery water within the stipulated time.The State government alleged non-compliance by the Karnataka government with the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC).Tamil Nadu has urged the Supreme Court to issue appropriate directions to ensure timely release of Cauvery water in accordance with the tribunal award and the statutory mechanism governing inter-State river water sharing.According to an official release, the petition was filed after Karnataka failed to release water to Tamil Nadu on a proportional basis despite directions issued by the CWMA and the CWRC.At its 139th meeting held on July 28, 2026, the CWRC reviewed the hydro-meteorological conditions in the Cauvery basin and directed Karnataka to release water from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs to ensure a flow of 3,500 cusecs at Billigundulu from 8 a.m. on July 29 for the subsequent 15 days.However, Tamil Nadu alleged that following the CWRC’s order, the inflow recorded at Billigundulu between July 29 and August 3 ranged between only 158 cusecs and 550 cusecs, far below the mandated 3,500 cusecs.The State government said that as of August 3, Karnataka’s reservoirs held substantial water storage, with the Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir containing 23.078 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), Kabini 18.610 TMC, Hemavathy 28.022 TMC and Harangi 7.827 TMC. The four reservoirs together held 77.537 TMC of water, including a usable storage of 67.517 TMC, indicating that Karnataka was in a position to release Tamil Nadu’s rightful share, the release said.The government further argued that heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the KRS and Kabini reservoirs had significantly increased inflows, and based on the prevailing hydrological conditions, Tamil Nadu was entitled to receive 26.954 TMC of water at Billigundulu on a proportional basis.Published on August 3, 2026
