The Supreme Court takes up the Cauvery water dispute today, September 15. Tamil Nadu has sought direction to Karnataka to release the accumulated backlog of 17.604 TMC ft. Karnataka says it is already releasing the mandated 9,000 cusecs. Bench: Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta. TN: 24,700 acres of agricultural land dependent on Cauvery flows.
The Supreme Court of India today takes up the Cauvery water dispute for hearing on September 15 — the date to which it was adjourned on August 31. The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta will hear Tamil Nadu's petition seeking enforcement of the Cauvery Water Management Authority's directions and Karnataka's obligation to clear an accumulated water release backlog.
Tamil Nadu's affidavit before the Supreme Court seeks three directions:
| TN Demand | Basis |
|---|---|
| Karnataka to release 17.604 TMC ft backlog | Calculated on pro-rata basis as of August 27, 2026 |
| Enforce 9,000 cusecs/day from Aug 26–Sep 8 | CWMA direction — Karnataka allegedly failed to comply |
| Karnataka to make good Biligundlu shortfall | Difference between directed flow and actual flows recorded at Biligundlu |
Karnataka has maintained that it is already releasing more than the mandated 9,000 cusecs and that the CWMA recorded the backlog but did not actually direct Karnataka to make it up. Karnataka has also separately challenged in the Supreme Court the CWMA's September direction requiring 6,000 cusecs per day — arguing that the reservoir situation and rainfall conditions do not support this quantum.
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) issued a direction on July 28, 2026 requiring Karnataka to ensure 3,500 cusecs per day at Biligundlu for 15 days from July 29 — upheld by the CWMA on July 30. This became the foundation for Tamil Nadu's complaint of non-compliance. The DMK (opposition in Tamil Nadu) also separately filed an application in the same matter seeking enforcement of the same CWRC/CWMA directions.
The CM Vijay government's approach has been to pursue both legal action (SC petition) and diplomatic outreach (direct talks with Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah). In August Vijay told the Assembly he was "prepared to face any humiliation for the sake of Tamil Nadu's farmers and their rights to Cauvery water."
Outcome of today's hearing to be updated.
Cauvery Supreme Court September 15 2026 Karnataka Backlog