After 14 years, Tamil Nadu records lowest Cauvery realisation
Tamil Nadu has experienced its lowest Cauvery river water realization during the southwest monsoon in 14 years, receiving only 44.208 tmc ft against a usual quota of 123.14 tmc ft. This water shortage threatens the upcoming paddy cultivation season and has intensified ongoing water-sharing disputes between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Why it matters
Water scarcity in the Cauvery basin directly impacts agricultural livelihoods and regional political stability in Southern India.
After a gap of 14 years, Tamil Nadu has realised the lowest realisation of the Cauvery river during southwest monsoon (June-September) in 2026.
In the last four months, the State got 44.208 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft). Usually, its quota for the period is 123.14 tmc ft. Going by this yardstick, the shortfall in realisation is almost 79 tmc ft. During the monsoon of 2023-24, the State recorded around 45 tmc ft.
However, statistically, the current year’s receipt marked the fourth low realisation since 1974-75, when certain provisions of the 1924 Tamil Nadu-Karnataka agreement on the sharing of the Cauvery river became due for review.
Cauvery water received by T.N. in July hits 50-year low
Why Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are sparring over Cauvery water? | Explained
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