Kabini Dam near full capacity, Cauvery water release unavoidable: Shivakumar
Synopsis
With Kabini inflows hitting 40,000 cusecs and the reservoir nearing capacity, Karnataka CM Shivakumar has made a rare appeal for calm — arguing that physics, not politics, will decide the release. The Supreme Court's 177 TMC order leaves little room for manoeuvre, yet the BJP and Kumaraswamy are framing it as a capitulation.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar on 1 August appealed to anti-release protesters to withdraw their agitation as Kabini reservoir nears full capacity.
Inflows into Kabini touched 40,000 cusecs , with officials issuing hourly water-level updates .
A Supreme Court-upheld order mandates Karnataka to release 177 TMC of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Shivakumar accused the BJP of politicising the issue, citing the party's record on previous releases.
Karnataka secured a legal win on the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project; a new balancing reservoir on the Tungabhadra was also approved at a Centre-convened meeting.
Protesters were warned against gathering near release points due to life-threatening currents .
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday, 1 August appealed to organisations protesting against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu to call off their agitation, asserting that the state government has no legal or physical option to withhold water once the Kabini reservoir reaches its storage limit. Shivakumar made the remarks while speaking to reporters at Mysuru Airport, as inflows into Kabini surged to 40,000 cusecs.
Why the Release Cannot Be Stopped
'The Kabini reservoir is filling up. Once a dam is full, water has to be released. It is not possible to hold it back. I humbly appeal to those planning protests against the release of water to reconsider their decision,' Shivakumar said. Officials have been providing hourly updates on water levels at Kabini, with the reservoir rapidly approaching full capacity. The Chief Minister stressed that nature operates independent of political decisions — once storage limits are breached, release becomes automatic and inevitable.
Safety Warning to Protesters
Shivakumar urged demonstrators not to gather near water release points, warning that strong currents at such locations posed a serious threat to life. He also said calls for a Karnataka bandh lacked valid grounds, acknowledging that democratic protests deserve respect while arguing that the prevailing hydrological situation did not warrant such demonstrations.
Supreme Court Order and Legal Obligations
The Chief Minister reminded protesters that there exists a binding order to release 177 TMC of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, an order upheld by the Supreme Court. 'We must respect the court's order while protecting the interests of our farmers,' he said. He noted that previous Karnataka governments — led by S. Bangarappa, S.M. Krishna, H.D. Deve Gowda, and Siddaramaiah — had all taken decisions based on prevailing circumstances, implying that the current release is consistent with historical precedent.
Political Blame and Counter-Claims
Shivakumar accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing politics over the Cauvery dispute. He referenced Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's engagements in New Delhi, and also cited a statement by H.D. Kumaraswamy, alleging that leaders from Tamil Nadu were pursuing political interests. 'Compared to previous situations, we have not even released half the quantity of water. Despite this, our request was rejected,' he said.
Mekedatu Project and Tungabhadra Decision
On a positive note for Karnataka, Shivakumar highlighted what he described as a significant legal victory in the Supreme Court regarding the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project. He also noted that Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil had convened a meeting of the Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana on the Tungabhadra river, where a decision was taken to construct a balancing reservoir. 'This is a historic decision taken after I became Chief Minister and marks a significant step forward,' Shivakumar said. The Cauvery dispute remains one of India's most politically sensitive inter-state water conflicts, and developments at Kabini are expected to keep tensions elevated in the coming days.
Point of View
He is insulating his government from the charge of voluntarily surrendering Karnataka's water. But the optics are difficult: the BJP and Kumaraswamy will continue to frame every cusec released as a Congress betrayal of Kannada farmers, regardless of the hydrological reality. The more substantive question — whether Karnataka's long-delayed Mekedatu reservoir would have given the state more storage leverage in precisely these situations — remains unanswered, and that is the accountability gap mainstream coverage keeps missing.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Karnataka releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu now?
The Kabini reservoir is approaching full capacity with inflows of 40,000 cusecs, making a release physically unavoidable. Additionally, a Supreme Court-upheld order directs Karnataka to release 177 TMC of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, leaving the state with no legal option to withhold it.
What did CM Shivakumar say about the protests?
Shivakumar appealed to protesting organisations to withdraw their agitation, arguing that once a reservoir is full, water cannot be held back. He also warned demonstrators not to gather near release points due to the risk of strong and potentially fatal currents.
What is the Supreme Court order on Cauvery water?
The Supreme Court has upheld an order directing Karnataka to release 177 TMC of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Shivakumar cited this order to explain that the state is legally bound to comply while simultaneously working to protect the interests of Karnataka's farmers.
Who is being blamed for politicising the Cauvery dispute?
CM Shivakumar accused the BJP of playing politics over the issue, referencing Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, former CM Basavaraj Bommai, and H.D. Kumaraswamy. He also alleged that Tamil Nadu leaders were pursuing political interests in the dispute.
What is the Mekedatu reservoir project and what was decided about Tungabhadra?
The Mekedatu balancing reservoir is a proposed Karnataka project on the Cauvery river; Shivakumar said the state secured a significant legal victory regarding it in the Supreme Court. Separately, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil convened a meeting of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana CMs, where a decision was taken to build a balancing reservoir on the Tungabhadra river.
