Cauvery dispute: Karnataka govt files affidavit in top court, opposes Tamil Nadu’s plea

The Karnataka government filed an affidavit before the top court on Thursday in the Cauvery water-sharing dispute. The Karnataka government has opposed Tamil Nadu’s application for the release of 24,000 cusecs of water per day from the reservoirs in Karnataka.
The Karnataka government stated that Tamil Nadu’s application is based on the assumption that this year is a normal rainwater year.
The government further noted that Tamil Nadu’s request for Karnataka to release 36.76 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) as stipulated for September 2023 lacks legal basis, as this quantity is specified for a normal water year. Given that the current water year is marked by distress, this requirement is not applicable.
The Karnataka government further stated that the application filed by the Tamil Nadu government is based on an “erroneous assumption” that this year is a normal rainwater year. Despite the fact that rainfall is 25 percent lower and inflow into four reservoirs in Karnataka is down by 42.5 percent until August 9, as recorded by the Cauvery Water Management Authority, the Karnataka government emphasized in its affidavit.
“During this water year, the southwest monsoon has largely failed so far. Due to the failure of the southwest monsoon, distress conditions have arisen in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka. Therefore, Karnataka is not obliged to and cannot be compelled to ensure water as per the stipulated releases prescribed for a normal year,” it added.
The apex court is scheduled to hear the application of the Tamil Nadu government today, where it has sought direction for Karnataka to release 24,000 cusecs of water daily for standing crops.