September 19, 2023: The Karnataka Government on Tuesday released 5000 cusecs of water from the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in the Mandya district to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days.

The water has been released from Monday night following the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority. This was decided at the meeting of the CWMA which was held in Delhi on Monday.

CWMA informed,  “Taking note of the severity of the drought in the Cauvery basin of Karnataka, which has been increasing and enlarging putting at a greater risk even the drinking water needs and minimum needs of irrigation, Karnataka made submissions that it is not in a position to release the water unless the inflows into the reservoirs improves."

"In turn, Tamil Nadu urged for releasing a total of 12,500 cusecs of water (which is inclusive of a backlog of 6,500 cusecs) for the next 15 days. Finally, CWMA duly upholding the recommendations of CWRC has ordered that Karnataka has to ensure 5000 cusecs realization at Biligundlu for the next 15 days as indicated by CWRC, effective from September 13," it added. The next meeting of the CWMA will be held on September 26.

According to news agency ANI, Karnataka has cited severe drought in parts of its state to refuse supply of water to Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Government has accused its neighbour of lying to the nation on the supply of water. Farmers in Mandya, Karnataka have been protesting the release of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu, expressing deep discontent at the state government complying with directives of the CWMA to release Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu.