Cauvery basin

Rains have revived in the Cauvery basin, easing the water conflict between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The improved rainfall is expected to alleviate tensions over water distribution in the region.

The Cauvery Water Management Authority is meeting amid a growing deficit in water realisation by Tamil Nadu. Since June 1, four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin have received around 30 tmc ft, while Tamil Nadu has received less than four tmc ft.

The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee has decided to delay reviewing the water situation until July 28. Karnataka's representatives stated the state cannot release the required Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu due to water shortages in the Cauvery basin.

Farmers in the Cauvery basin region are abandoning or delaying sowing due to a water crisis. Reservoir levels, along with lakes, ponds, and small water bodies, are worryingly low in the area.

Tamil Nadu is opposing the Centre's latest guidelines on the Cauvery basin, which require the state government to submit preliminary reports and concept notes aligned with the 2017 guidelines and the 2007 final award of the Tribunal.

Tamil Nadu is concerned about the Centre’s guidelines for projects in the Cauvery basin. The guidelines are relevant to the ongoing controversy over Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu drinking water-cum-balancing reservoir project.

Successive governments in Karnataka have failed to accelerate irrigation projects in the Cauvery and Krishna basins. Senior SC advocate Mohan Kataraki urged the state government to double its allocation for these projects.