- By Chetna Shree
- Mon, 17 Aug 2026 03:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- SC orders Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
- Tamil Nadu claims non-receipt despite Karnataka's reservoir levels.
- Supreme Court demands status report before August 24 hearing.
Cauvery Water Dispute: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Karnataka government to comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) orders on the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
The directive follows an August 3 plea by the Tamil Nadu government, which alleged that it had not received its share of water (26.954 TMC) despite sufficient levels in Karnataka's reservoirs. In response, the court ordered immediate compliance with CWMA's water release orders.
SC Demands Status Report Ahead Of August 24 Hearing
The Supreme Court has asked that the latest status report on water releases be presented before the next hearing on August 24 on Tamil Nadu's plea seeking directions for the release of water.
The direction comes after the Tamil Nadu government alleged that both the quantity of water recommended by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the amount actually supplied by Karnataka were less than its requirement.
Recent Rains Improved Reservoir Levels
Recent rainfall in the catchment areas of the KRS and Kabini reservoirs has improved Karnataka's water situation, with the state government assessing the proportionate share due at Biligundlu at 26.954 TMC.
However, compliance with release orders remains disputed. While the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) directed Karnataka on July 28 to release 3,500 cusecs daily for 15 days starting July 29, the Tamil Nadu government states that actual flow recorded at the Biligundlu border gauge station ranged from only 158 to 550 cusecs between July 29 and August 2.
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Karnataka Has Enough Water To Release Tamil Nadu's Share
According to a Tamil Nadu government statement, the combined water level at Karnataka's four major reservoirs, Krishna Raja Sagar, Kabini, Harangi, and Hemavathi, stood at 77.537 TMC as of August 3. Tamil Nadu argues that these available storage levels make it clear that Karnataka can release its required share of water without difficulty.