Context
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) recently directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water per day for 15 days to Tamil Nadu after assessing rainfall, reservoir storage, inflows, and hydrological conditions.
Explanation
- Cauvery is an inter-State river originating at Talakaveri (Brahmagiri Hills, Karnataka) and flowing through Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry before draining into the Bay of Bengal.
- The dispute arose due to competing irrigation and drinking water demands, with Tamil Nadu relying on historic agreements (1892 & 1924) and Karnataka seeking a larger share after Independence.
- Under Article 262 and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) was constituted in 1990 and delivered its final award in 2007.
- In 2018, the Supreme Court modified the Tribunal’s award and directed the establishment of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) for implementation.
- CWRC recommends water releases after assessing reservoir storage, inflows, rainfall, IMD forecasts, and basin hydrology, especially during distress years.
- The CWRC monitors daily water levels, inflows and storage in key reservoirs: Hemavathy, Harangi, Krishnarajasagara (KRS) and Kabini (Karnataka); Mettur and Bhavanisagar (Tamil Nadu); and Banasurasagar (Kerala), along with rainfall, IMD forecasts, and basin hydrology before recommending releases.
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