Karnataka tells SC it complies with CWMA

The Karnataka government told the Supreme Court on Monday, August 31, 2026, that it is following the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) order to ensure a flow of 9,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. The state's senior advocate, Shyam Divan, said Karnataka had released 9,888 cusecs on August 30 and the flow had exceeded 11,000 cusecs by the morning of August 31.

"We have released an excess amount as of 8 a.m. this morning," Mr. Divan said, according to a report by The Hindu. He added that Karnataka would try to maintain the required 9,000 cusec flow. The court was hearing a plea from Tamil Nadu seeking enforcement of the CWMA's directions. For more detailed legal fixtures on this case, please refer to the court's schedule.

Tamil Nadu's Contention of a Shortfall

Senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan, representing Tamil Nadu, argued that Karnataka's current compliance did not address an accumulated shortfall from earlier releases. He stated that nearly 24,700 acres of agricultural land in Tamil Nadu depended on Cauvery water and pointed to a substantial deficit recorded at Biligundlu, a border village. The full stats on water flow and agricultural impact are available for review.

"There is a shortfall in Biligundlu... I have come before my Lords. There is no other forum," Mr. Vaidyanathan submitted. He urged the court to reconsider Tamil Nadu's demand for clearing this backlog. Tamil Nadu had sought a direction for Karnataka to release 1.9 TMC of water per day from August 24 to September 7 to clear the accumulated deficit.

The Authority's Decision and Tamil Nadu's Challenge

The CWMA had upheld a Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) recommendation on August 25. It directed Karnataka to ensure a flow of 9,000 cusecs per day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, from August 25 to September 8. The authority did not issue any direction regarding the accumulated shortfall.

A Tamil Nadu affidavit, cited in the source, criticized this decision. It claimed the CWMA "mechanically affirmed" the CWRC's recommendation without considering a pro-rata release formula mandated for distress years under water dispute laws.

Supreme Court's Observations and Direction

The Bench noted that if Tamil Nadu sought water beyond what the CWMA ordered, the authority's decision itself would need to be challenged in the proper forum. "You want water. They [Karnataka] are releasing. The decision of CWMA has to be challenged," the Bench told Mr. Vaidyanathan.

Mr. Vaidyanathan informed the court that Tamil Nadu had already sought a review of the CWMA decision on August 27. He urged the court to direct the authority to reconsider the state's request.

The Bench observed that the issue was before statutory authorities, with the CWRC meeting every 15 days and passing orders after hearing both sides. "The next order of the CWMA may also be passed in a similar manner after taking into consideration the parties’ submissions," the Bench said. It directed both states to place subsequent developments on record and scheduled the next hearing for September 15. For ongoing updates, check the case standings.