Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday, 11 August said the state government would determine its response to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) directive to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, contingent on actual water availability in Karnataka's reservoirs. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said a high-level meeting of ministers and irrigation experts would be convened to deliberate on the matter before any final call is made.

What the CWRC Order Demands

The CWRC has directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water every day for the next 15 days. Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy clarified that complying with this order would require the state to release more than 15 TMC of water in total — a figure the government views as significant given current reservoir conditions.

Reddy noted that Karnataka had already released a considerable volume of water to Tamil Nadu during May, June, and July. According to him, approximately 3.5 TMC flowed out during those months, with an additional 7.5 TMC entering Tamil Nadu from the Kabini reservoir, which was full at the time and could not store further inflows.

Karnataka's Concerns Over Monsoon and Farming

A key argument the state government is expected to make is the weakening of the southwest monsoon over Karnataka. Reddy expressed concern that the state cannot rely on August rainfall to replenish its reservoirs. Tamil Nadu, by contrast, is expected to receive northeast monsoon rainfall later in the year, which Karnataka argues reduces the immediate urgency of the release.

Chief Minister Shivakumar appealed to farmers to remain calm and patient. 'Farmers need not be agitated over the order to release water. I appeal to farmers to remain patient and maintain harmony,' he said. He added that the government's foremost priority remains protecting the crops and drinking water requirements of Karnataka's farming communities.

Legal and Political Course of Action

Sources confirmed that the Karnataka government has decided to challenge the CWRC recommendation, citing concerns over drinking water availability and agricultural needs. Senior ministers and party leaders were scheduled to meet on Tuesday night, with a Cabinet meeting fixed for Wednesday, 12 August to determine the legal and political strategy.

A team comprising the state's Additional Chief Secretary, irrigation experts, and Supreme Court lawyers who have handled the Cauvery case for over two decades were reported to be in New Delhi to prepare the state's legal position. The government's next decision is expected after the outcome of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) meeting and the Supreme Court hearing.

Transparency Pledge Amid Political Tensions

Shivakumar was emphatic that the Cauvery issue would not be allowed to become a political battleground. 'I will act with complete transparency on irrigation issues. There can be no politics in this matter. While respecting the court's orders, our first priority is to protect the crops of our farmers,' he said.

The standoff is expected to sharpen the long-running inter-state water dispute, with Karnataka insisting that its drinking water and agricultural requirements must be factored in before any further release. The Supreme Court's role in adjudicating the matter remains central, and the coming days are likely to be critical in determining how much water, if any, flows toward Tamil Nadu in the near term.