The Cauvery Management Authority (CMA) held its 53rd meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday under chairperson S.K. Haldar, with officials from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka participating.
Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department Secretary Satyabrata Sahu said the state received only 3.44 TMC of water at the Biligundlu gauge between June 1 and July 19. Compared with the 28.3 TMC to be supplied as per the Supreme Court’s decision, he said this amounted to 12.15%, leaving a shortfall of 24.8 TMC.
He also cited storage levels as of July 20, stating Karnataka’s four reservoirs together held 48.9 TMC, while Mettur had 36.9 TMC with very low inflows. With water being released from Mettur only for drinking needs at 1,003 cusecs, he urged the CMA to direct Karnataka to release water to make up the deficit.
Karnataka officials, however, said rainfall conditions and drought-related concerns meant water was needed for Bengaluru’s drinking supply, and that releases to Tamil Nadu were not possible at present. After extended discussions, Haldar said inflows and rainfall would be monitored for another week, and a Cauvery Water Regulation Committee meeting would be convened on July 28 to decide the quantity to be supplied based on hydrological and meteorological conditions and the states’ submissions.
