The Tamil Nadu government has officially filed a petition with the Supreme Court to seek enforcement of Cauvery water release to the state. This move comes in response to what officials claim is Karnataka’s failure to adhere to the directives issued by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC). The decision to escalate the issue legally was taken under the guidance of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

The plea was motivated by Karnataka’s alleged inability to meet the required water release obligations, despite specific directions provided by the CWMA and CWRC. Details stated that the CWRC’s 139th meeting, held on July 28, 2026, mandated Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water at Biligundlu from the period of July 29 to August 12, 2026, from both the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs.

This decision received further endorsement during an emergency meeting of the CWMA, conducted on July 30. However, according to Tamil Nadu officials, the actual water inflow recorded at Biligundlu from July 29 to August 2 was alarmingly low, fluctuating between 158 and 550 cusecs, significantly below what was required.

Current Water Storage in Karnataka’s Reservoirs

The Tamil Nadu government’s concerns were heightened by reports highlighting that Karnataka’s reservoirs maintain substantial water storage levels. As of early August 2026, the KRS reservoir reportedly held 23.078 TMC, the Kabini reservoir contained 18.610 TMC, Harangi stored 7.827 TMC, and Hemavathi accounted for 28.022 TMC. Cumulatively, this amounts to 77.537 TMC in total storage capacity, with an available usable capacity of 67.517 TMC.

Given these figures, Tamil Nadu officials argue that Karnataka should be able to release the required water according to the state’s entitlement. Additionally, the Tamil Nadu government has indicated that, due to increased rainfall in the KRS and Kabini catchment areas, it is entitled to an adjusted quantity of 26.954 TMC at Biligundlu. This figure far exceeds the 4.536 TMC prescribed by the CWMA.

Officials from Tamil Nadu have reiterated that, despite the sufficient water levels in Karnataka’s reservoirs, the allocated share of water has not been furnished to Tamil Nadu. Consequently, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay instructed legal advisors to explore judicial recourse, culminating in this petition to the Supreme Court.

Legal Proceedings and Future Steps

On August 3, 2026, the petition was formally submitted to the Supreme Court, aiming to secure an order that would compel Karnataka to release its due share of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu within the specified timeframe. The legal process intends to address the ongoing dispute between the two states over water resources, which has been a subject of contention for many years.

The Supreme Court’s involvement is anticipated to bring clarity to the water release obligations as set forth by the CWMA and CWRC. Legal experts following the developments suggest that the case could pave the way for setting a precedent regarding inter-state water disputes in India.

As the legal saga unfolds, the implications for farmers and agricultural activities in both states remain significant. The outcome of this petition could affect water distribution in the Cauvery basin, potentially influencing the agricultural cycles and livelihoods dependent on this vital resource.

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