Bengaluru, 30 July 

The CWMA on Thursday rejected the Karnataka government's plea and upheld the CWRC recommendation ordering the release of 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days, prompting the State government to convene an all-party meeting as political parties, farmers and Kannada organisations closed ranks against the order.

The decision came despite Karnataka's contention that it is facing acute drought and a drinking water crisis.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar convened an all-party meeting on 2 August to deliberate on the issue and chart the state's future course of action after the CWMA affirmed the CWRC's 28 July recommendation.

The Chief Minister's Office 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 28.07.2026, 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 urgedthe CWMA to keep in abeyance for another fortnight the CWRC's direction to release 3,500 cusecs of water to TN, citing severe hydrological distress caused by deficient inflows. The State told the authority that inflows into its reservoirs were 65.65 per cent below the 30-year average due to the Super El Nino and sought a review after assessing the evolving hydrological situation.

Karnataka also argued that Tamil Nadu enjoyed a 'dual advantage' as it would benefit from both releases from Karnataka and the forthcoming North-East Monsoon, while also having substantial carryover storage from earlier releases.

It further said that ensuring 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu would require releasing nearly 7,000 cusecs because of dry river conditions and transmission losses, and stressed the need to conserve about 40 TMC of water to meet drinking water requirements till June 2027.

Tamil Nadu, however, urged the CWMA to direct Karnataka to enhance the daily release beyond 3,500 cusecs, contending that the prevailing hydrological distress warranted a higher quantum of release.

Earlier, Minister Ramalinga Reddy told PTI: "The Cauvery Water Management Authority has upheld Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's order."

The CWMA decision triggered widespread opposition across Karnataka, with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Kannada film personalities, farmer organisations and 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, "Whenever the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce takes a decision, all its affiliated organisations will stand by it. We will be with this agitation and every other agitation concerning the state's land, water and language."

Protesters also staged road blockades in Mandya and held demonstrations in Mysuru with empty water pots, saying Karnataka could not spare "even a drop" of Cauvery water amid the prevailing drinking water crisis and that the agitation would intensify if the state proceeded with the release.

Kannada organisations would give a call for Karnataka Bandh after holding a meeting shortly, Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj told reporters.

The Kannada Federation said it will discuss the future course of action in a meeting on Friday, with all pro-Kannada outfits.