Finance
The longstanding Cauvery water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has resurfaced, sparked by deficient rainfall in Karnataka’s catchment area. Despite a 2018 Supreme Court verdict, the current crisis raises concerns over water allocation, prompting protests and a Bengaluru bandh.
In 2018, the Supreme Court adjudicated the dispute, assigning specific water-sharing norms for a typical monsoon year. However, the present situation, with rainfall 30% below average, has ignited fresh contention.
Advocating their cause, several pro-Kannada organizations, along with farmers’ unions, have mobilized a significant protest, culminating in a Bengaluru bandh. This collective action is endorsed by the BJP and Janata Dal Secular, voicing their discontent against the Congress-led government’s compliance with a recent Supreme Court order dated September 21. The directive stipulated the release of 5,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water to Tamil Nadu. Protesters vehemently argue that the release of water at this juncture, when the monsoon season is tapering off and reservoir levels in the Cauvery basin are critically low, is inopportune.
Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA)
The CWMA, an impartial body established to enforce the 2018 SC orders, plays a pivotal role in mediating the dispute between the two states.
The 2018 SC verdict allocated an additional 14.75 TMC of water to Karnataka while reducing Tamil Nadu’s share by the same amount. This allotment was primarily for drinking water in South Karnataka. The total annual Cauvery water share was divided between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, and environmental preservation.
Both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have raised compelling contentions. They argue that the 2018 Supreme Court directive primarily established water-sharing norms applicable to a conventional monsoon year. This framework, they contend, falls short in addressing a distressing year like the current one, characterized by rainfall levels significantly below the norm. The DMK in Tamil Nadu and the Congress, in alliance with JDS, a regional party in Karnataka, are rallying for the Prime Minister’s intervention to devise a mechanism capable of addressing disputes in such distressing circumstances.
Current Crisis Evolution: This year’s distressing rainfall led Karnataka to release less water than mandated by the 2018 SC verdict. Tamil Nadu, concerned about water supplies, approached the CWMA, which observed a significant deficiency in rainfall in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin. Consequently, the CWMA ordered a reduced release, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court until September 26.
Storage Levels and Water Allocation
As of September 23, the four major reservoirs in the Cauvery basin – Krishna Raja Sagar, Kabini, Hemavathy, and Harangi – were reported to be at merely half of their capacity, containing 51.1 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water. This, out of a total storage capacity of 104.5 TMC. The Karnataka government asserts that the state requires a total of 112 TMC for agricultural and drinking purposes up until June 2024. This necessitates a prudent and cautious approach towards water conservation for essential needs.
Karnataka advocates for the Mekedatu check dam project, which aims to store water for Bengaluru and offer excess water to Tamil Nadu during crises.
The current situation mirrors past Cauvery water crises, including those in 1991, 2002, 2012, and 2016. Notably, this crisis follows the 2018 SC resolution. While earlier disputes led to violence, recent years have seen a more reconciliatory approach from Karnataka’s politicians.
The resurgence of the Cauvery water-sharing dispute underscores the need for nuanced solutions in times of distress. Balancing the interests of both states remains a complex challenge, demanding continued dialogue and effective water management strategies.
