Supreme Court Reviews Cauvery Water Dispute Amid Drought Conditions
The Supreme Court on October 12, 2026, questioned Tamil Nadu's request for Karnataka to address a backlog in Cauvery water releases, citing Karnataka's own water scarcity. Tamil Nadu reported a shortfall of 11.719 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) at Billigundulu, affecting agriculture in the Cauvery Delta. Karnataka, facing drought, argued it has limited water reserves, with approximately 57 tmcft available, primarily for drinking needs. The court noted that the Cauvery Water Management Authority had already considered the shortfall in its assessment, allowing a flow of 3,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu. The court reserved its order on Tamil Nadu's application, which has been part of a long-standing dispute between the two states.
Published 1 day ago • 12 Oct 2026, 07:38 PM IST