Tamil Nadu has got 10 tmcft of excess Cauvery water till July 22

CHENNAI: Thanks to heavy rain in the Cauvery basin of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu got 10 tmcft excess of the stipulated quantity of water, as directed by the Supreme Court, between July 1 and 22. Subsequent to Tamil Nadu's demand, the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) decided to hold a meeting of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee on July 30 to decide on the release for August. As per SC order, Tamil Nadu should realise 45.95tmcft in August.

According to the water resources department, Tamil Nadu received 32 tmcft at Biligundulu, the inter-state border, in contrast to the prescribed 22 tmcft during the period from July 1 to 22.

As of Tuesday, Karnataka's four reservoirs were nearly full. Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir had a storage of 46.76 tmcft against a total capacity of 49.45 tmcft. Kabini dam had 19 tmcft (19.51 tmcft capacity), Harangi 7.39 tmcft (8.5 tmcft capacity) and Hemavathi 36 tmcft (37.1 tmcft capacity).

The storage of Mettur reservoir in Salem, Tamil Nadu, rose to 49 tmcft (93.47tmcft capacity) with an inflow of 60,771 cusecs.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi after attending the authority’s meeting, Tamil Nadu's water resources secretary K Manivasan acknowledged that there was no backlog of water release from Karnataka for July.

“We have received what has been prescribed by the Supreme Court. Karnataka also did not oppose release of water.”

Manivasan pointed out that as of Wednesday, 30,000 cusecs of water was being released from Krishnaraja Sagar. Water was also being released from Kabini reservoir.

In the meeting, Tamil Nadu govt had insisted that Karnataka should adhere to the release schedule prescribed by the Supreme Court and closely monitored by the authority. There was no discussion about the construction of the Mekedatu dam during the authority's meeting.

Due to the lack of water, the Tamil Nadu government did not release water from Mettur reservoir on June 12, the customary date to support kuruvai, the short-term paddy cultivation.

A meeting of legislative party leaders chaired by Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin last week saw a unanimous resolution condemning Karnataka for refusing to release water. The resolution deemed this act as contemptuous of orders of the tribunal and the Supreme Court.