Data shows K’taka released Cauvery water to TN generously previous monsoon

Mysuru: Karnataka has released nearly double the stipulated quantum of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu between June 2025 and Jan 4, 2026, according to official data placed before the Parliament.As per the final award and subsequent Supreme Court orders, Karnataka was required to release 164.8 tmc of water in a year. However, the actual release stood at 317.7 tmc, significantly exceeding the mandated quantity, as per the minutes of the 47th meeting of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), on Jan 6.The data was shared by the Jal Shakti ministry in response to a question raised by MPs Tamil Selvan and Ganapathy Rajkumar in the Lok Sabha.Month-wise figures indicate that Tamil Nadu received highest water in July 2025 with 103.5 tmc, compared to the stipulated 31.2 tmc. In fact, Karnataka released more water than mandated every month of the water year, including June, Oct, and Nov, when releases were more than double the prescribed levels.Higher releases coincided with better inflows into major reservoirs in the Cauvery basin. Data shows that the four key reservoirs of old Mysuru region — KRS, Kabini, Hemavathi and Harangi — recorded significantly higher inflows during the period. The cumulative inflow into these reservoirs stood at 414.3 tmc, compared to the 30-year average of 313.7 tmc, indicating an excess inflow of around 100 tmc.Similarly, the combined live storage in these reservoirs as of early Jan 2026 stood at 76.7 tmc, higher than the 30-yr average of around 57.1 tmc — an increase of nearly 18 tmc.Kempu Gowda, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha's Mandya district unit president said in the 2025-26, there is no water crisis for crops in the district. "Water was released from KRS according to the requirements of the farmers," he said.Data BoxCauvery Water Release (June 2025 – Jan 4, 2026)Stipulated release: 164.8 TMCActual release: 317.8 TMCHighest Monthly Release - July 2025: 103.5 TMC (stipulated: 31.2 TMC)Month-wise: Stipulated vs Actual (TMC)Month | Stipulated | ActualJune | 9.2 | 42.2July | 31.2 | 103.5 Aug | 45.9 | 51.9Sept | 36.8 | 40.8Oct | 20.2 | 53.5Nov | 13.8 | 17.7Dec | 7.6 | 7.7Jan* | 0.4 | 0.5*January data up to Jan 4, 2026Source: Lok Sabha (numbers rounded off to nearest single decimal)