The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the ongoing Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for a week while examining Karnataka’s compliance with the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) direction to ensure a daily flow of 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12, 2026.
Appearing for Tamil Nadu, counsel submitted that despite the CWMA’s direction, the required quantity of water was not reaching the State, affecting its ability to release adequate water to farmers.
Counsel for the petitioner argued that Karnataka could not retain the available water, pointing out that its reservoirs had 76% live storage, while Tamil Nadu had received only 14 TMC against the 64 TMC contemplated under the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Award. Even in a distress year, counsel submitted, Tamil Nadu was entitled to a proportionate share and contended that a substantial backlog remained.
Senior Advocate Shyam Diwan, appearing for Karnataka, disputed the allegations of non-compliance. He submitted that the Cauvery basin was facing severe distress and that Karnataka’s reservoirs were witnessing a substantial deficit. He argued that the CWMA, being an expert body fully apprised of the prevailing circumstances, had issued its directions after considering the situation.
On the earlier CWMA direction, which covered the period up to August 11, Diwan submitted that Karnataka was required to ensure a flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundulu, the measuring point before the water enters Tamil Nadu. While acknowledging that the flow had remained below the prescribed level during the initial days, he submitted that it subsequently increased substantially and that the overall flow during the control period exceeded the stipulated requirement.
He therefore termed Tamil Nadu’s allegation of non-compliance as incorrect.
Regarding the subsequent direction for releasing 12,000 cusecs, Diwan explained that water released from Karnataka’s reservoirs takes around 48 hours to reach Biligundulu and that certain operational protocols also have to be followed.
He acknowledged that the flow had remained below 12,000 cusecs during the first four to five days but submitted that Karnataka expected to make up the shortfall. As of 8 AM on August 17, he told the Court, the flow had reached 12,607 cusecs, exceeding the CWMA requirement. He added that the reservoir gates had been opened with instructions to endeavour to maintain the 12,000-cusecs flow.
The Bench questioned whether Karnataka’s position was that it had complied with the direction to release 12,000 cusecs every day from August 12.
After hearing the submissions of both sides and examining the material placed before it, the Supreme Court adjourned the matter for a week. The question of Karnataka’s compliance with the CWMA directions will remain under consideration when the matter is taken up next.
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