Karnataka directed to release 6,000 cusecs of water a day to Tamil Nadu
The Cauvery Water Management Authority has ordered Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days. Karnataka officials have expressed strong opposition, citing severe drought conditions and potential plans to challenge the order in the Supreme Court.
Why it matters
The Cauvery water dispute is a long-standing inter-state conflict that significantly impacts agricultural stability and regional political relations in Southern India.
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), which met in Delhi on Tuesday (September 8, 2026), has upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) direction to Karnataka to ensure flows to the neighbouring Tamil Nadu at a rate of 6,000 cusecs a day for the next 15 days.
Karnataka had challenged the decision of the CWRC before the CWMA. However, the CWMA endorsed the CWRC’s decision and asked Karnataka to abide by it.
Karnataka had pleaded before the CWMA that it was not in a position to ensure further releases from its Cauvery reservoirs to Tamil Nadu as the State was reeling under serious drought and that it did not have further hope of rainfall as the Southwest Monsoon itself was almost coming to an end.
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