The Supreme Court has announced that it will hear Tamil Nadu’s petition urging Karnataka to comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) order regarding the release of Cauvery water on August 17. The hearing, originally set for August 13, was postponed due to the illness of Justice Vikram Nath, who will preside over the case. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant confirmed that Justice Nath is expected to return to his judicial duties next week.

Case Background and Developments

Senior advocate P Wilson, representing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) along with a group of farmers, has requested to be included in the proceedings. During the submissions, Wilson indicated that the CWMA had issued a fresh directive for Karnataka to release the requisite water, but compliance has not yet been observed from Karnataka’s side.

Previously, the matter had been set for discussion on August 13, focusing on Tamil Nadu’s plea for the enforcement of a CWMA decision that mandates Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily for a duration of 15 days. The Tamil Nadu government first approached the Supreme Court on August 3, contesting the failure of Karnataka to implement the CWMA’s directive issued on July 30.

The state is seeking a total release of 4.536 TMC of water, equivalent to 3,500 cusecs per day over the specified 15-day period, and has requested that this amount be delivered by August 12. State officials are focusing on obtaining the necessary direction to ensure that Tamil Nadu receives its entitled share of Cauvery water promptly.

Legal Actions and Ongoing Dispute

The DMK, which serves as the opposition party in Tamil Nadu, has also approached the Supreme Court, asking for an immediate order to Karnataka to release water according to a February 16, 2018, ruling from the apex court, as well as subsequent instructions from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the CWMA.

In a specific application related to the protracted Cauvery water dispute, the DMK, represented by its Farmers Wing Secretary AKS Vijayan, sought to enforce the CWRC’s directive from July 28, 2026. This directive was upheld by the CWMA on July 30, 2026, which mandates Karnataka to ensure a consistent flow of 3,500 cusecs of water per day at Biligundlu for 15 days beginning July 29.

The farmers’ wing has additionally requested that the CWMA monitor and report on the water releases from Karnataka’s reservoirs and the flows at Biligundlu daily, to ensure compliance with court orders. The DMK argued that Karnataka has not followed the binding guidelines despite various authorities endorsing these mandates under the Cauvery Water Management Scheme, 2018.

Conclusion and Implications

The current applications add another chapter to the enduring dispute over the distribution of Cauvery river waters between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. As litigation continues, the Supreme Court’s forthcoming hearing on August 17 is expected to provide critical updates on the obligations of both states in this complex matter.

This long-standing issue highlights the intricate and often contentious nature of inter-state water sharing agreements in India, which has significant implications for agriculture and water availability in both states. The resolution of this dispute is crucial for maintaining order and ensuring fair distribution of resources amongst the states involved.

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