CWMA asks Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to use their storage only for drinking water; orders status quo on releases
The Cauvery Water Management Authority has ordered Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to prioritize drinking water over irrigation due to severe rainfall deficits in the basin. Both states must maintain the status quo on water releases as the region faces a potential drought year.
Why it matters
This decision directly impacts the water security and agricultural output of two major Indian states, highlighting the growing challenge of resource management during climate-induced distress.
Taking a serious note of poor rainfall in the Cauvery basin, the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) that met in Delhi on Wednesday has directed both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to strictly confine use of their storage to drinking water purposes.
The CWMA, which is the apex body that monitors implementation of Cauvery water release to lower riparian States as per the Supreme Court’s verdict, directed both the States to maintain status quo with respect to water release and utilisation.
According to sources, the CWMA referred to the IMD forecast that indicates further tough time in terms of rainfall in the coming days, and observed that it is going to be a distress year for the Cauvery basin.
The present storage in reservoirs of the Cauvery basin in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu could only take care of their drinking water requirements, the authority reportedly observed.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in