Bengaluru: Ahead of the 53rd meeting of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) scheduled for July 15, Tamil Nadu has sought a detailed accounting of Cauvery water supplied to Bengaluru, alleging that Karnataka is diverting water to areas outside the Cauvery basin.

The neighbouring state has requested the CWMA to include the volume of Cauvery water supplied to Bengaluru’s areas falling outside the river basin while calculating Karnataka’s total utilisation of its allocated share.

Tamil Nadu raises concerns over water use

Tamil Nadu has argued that parts of north and east Bengaluru fall within the Pennar and Ponnaiyar river basins. According to its submission, supplying Cauvery water to these regions should be treated as Karnataka’s full utilisation of its allocated share under the Cauvery water-sharing arrangement.

The state has also sought details of minor irrigation tank-filling projects and lift irrigation schemes that draw water directly from the Cauvery River and its canal network, contending that such withdrawals could reduce downstream water availability.

The demand comes amid concerns over a potentially weak southwest monsoon linked to developing El Niño conditions. Bengaluru currently consumes around 24 tmcft of Cauvery water annually, accounting for nearly 21 per cent of the combined live storage capacity of Karnataka’s four major Cauvery basin reservoirs.

Karnataka rejects the objections

Karnataka has firmly opposed Tamil Nadu’s demands, maintaining that it has every right to decide how its allocated share of Cauvery water is utilised.

Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy said Tamil Nadu has no authority to dictate how Karnataka should use its legally allocated water.

He asserted that the state is utilising its share scientifically and in accordance with the provisions of the Cauvery water-sharing arrangement, adding that Karnataka is not violating any rules.

The issue is expected to be discussed during the upcoming CWMA meeting, where both states are likely to present their respective positions on water utilisation and allocation.
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