The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court seeking directions to Karnataka to implement a decision of the Central Water Management Authority (CWMA) regarding the release of Cauvery river water. The petition, filed on Monday, August 3, 2026, requests the court to ensure the release of 3,500 cusecs of water per day for 15 days from Karnataka’s Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara reservoirs.
According to the plea, the requested release amounts to 4.536 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water and should be completed on or before August 12, in line with the CWMA’s decision taken on July 30.
Tamil Nadu Seeks Enforcement of CWMA Decision
The petition has been filed by the Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. It asks the Supreme Court to direct Karnataka to comply with the Central Water Management Authority’s order, which requires the release of Cauvery water from the two reservoirs over a 15-day period.
The State has sought judicial intervention to secure implementation of the authority’s decision after approaching the apex court over the inter-state river water dispute.
Karnataka Says Water Situation Has Improved
The legal move comes as Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the State’s water situation had become “slightly better.” While commenting on the prevailing conditions, he appealed to Kannada organisations to withdraw their proposed State-wide bandh scheduled for August 13.
The developments indicate that the Cauvery water-sharing issue continues to remain a matter of legal and administrative attention, with both States closely monitoring reservoir conditions and water availability.
What Tamil Nadu Has Requested
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Petitioner | Tamil Nadu Government |
| Respondent | State of Karnataka |
| Court | Supreme Court of India |
| CWMA Decision | 30 July 2026 |
| Water Release Sought | 3,500 cusecs per day |
| Duration | 15 days |
| Total Quantity | 4.536 TMC |
| Deadline Requested | On or before August 12, 2026 |
| Reservoirs | Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara |
Current Situation
With Tamil Nadu seeking enforcement of the CWMA’s directive through the Supreme Court and Karnataka indicating that water availability has improved, the dispute has entered another legal phase. The court’s consideration of the petition is expected to shape the immediate implementation of the water release sought by Tamil Nadu.
