Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 23: The Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) has recommended release of 3,216 cusecs of water daily till the end of December to Tamil Nadu as against the neighbouring State’s demand for release of 5,000 cusecs of water for the next 30 days.

The Cauvery Water Management Committee will have to confirm the CWRC recommendation. Karnataka had submitted before CWRC that the shortfall in cumulative inflows to Karnataka's four reservoirs up to Nov 22 is 52.24% and according to the IMD, the rainfall in Tamil Nadu is normal from October 15 with indications are that satisfactory rainfall situation will be available in the Cauvery delta system and the areas below Mettur during the North-East monsoon.

The State also mentioned that the Kuruvai crop in Tamil Nadu has been harvested by the end of September and therefore there is no need of water for this crop and the samba crop has reached the stage of maturity and would come to an end in the 15 week periof ending December.

The inflows in the four reservoirs of Karnataka as on Nov 21 is insufficient to meet the requirements for irrigation, drinking and other domestic needs and the State will not be able to release any water from its reservoirs so as to reach Biligundlu except that would be contributed from the uncontrolled catchment.

The State Government submitted before the CWRC not to give directions for any releases from the reservoir of Karnataka. However, Tamil Nadu has demanded that Karnataka has to release 5000 cusecs of water for the next 30 days.

Finally, the CWRC recommended that Karnataka needs to ensure stipulated quantities of flow as per CWDT award as modified by the Supreme Court for the remaining period of November 2023 and December 2023 implying flows to be realised at Biligundlu from Nov 24 to Dec 31 (38 days) is 3216 cusecs per day.