“Ensure compliance of the CWMA directions,” the bench said, seeking a status report and posting the matter to August 24 — the first substantive hearing in the case Tamil Nadu brought on 3 August.
The Supreme Court on Monday directed Karnataka to ensure compliance with the Cauvery Water Management Authority's directions on releasing water to Tamil Nadu, and posted the matter for further hearing on 24 August. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta also called for a fresh status report from the CWMA.
“We feel that let this matter be posted after a week so that the further status regarding the release may be placed before the court,” the bench said, adding: “Ensure compliance of the CWMA directions.”
Senior advocate C. S. Vaidyanathan, appearing for Tamil Nadu, submitted that the CWMA's direction was not being complied with and that the state was consequently unable to release water to its farmers. “They have started releasing water for irrigation in Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu has not been receiving water,” he told the bench.
Counsel argued that Karnataka could not retain available water while its reservoirs held 76% live storage, and that Tamil Nadu had received only 14 TMC against the 64 TMC contemplated under the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award. Even in a distress year, the submission ran, Tamil Nadu was entitled to a proportionate share, and a substantial backlog remained.
Senior advocate Shyam Diwan, for Karnataka, disputed the allegation of non-compliance. He submitted that the Cauvery basin was in severe distress and that Karnataka's reservoirs faced a substantial deficit, and that the CWMA — an expert body fully apprised of conditions — had issued its directions with that situation in view.
On the earlier direction covering the period to 11 August, Diwan acknowledged that flow at Biligundlu had remained below the prescribed 3,500 cusecs during the initial days, but submitted that it increased substantially thereafter and that the overall flow during the control period exceeded the stipulated quantum. He told the court that as of 8 am on 17 August the flow had reached 12,607 cusecs — above the CWMA requirement — with reservoir gates opened and instructions to maintain 12,000 cusecs. Recent rainfall in the catchment, including parts of Wayanad in Kerala feeding the Kabini, had increased inflows.
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| 28 July | CWRC directs 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days |
| 30 July | CWMA upholds the order, rejects Karnataka's appeal |
| 3 August | Tamil Nadu moves the Supreme Court |
| 11 August | CWRC raises the direction to 12,000 cusecs daily from 12 August |
| 13 August | Hearing deferred to 17 August; TN files additional plea |
| 17 August | Court directs compliance; status report sought; posted to 24 August |
The DMK has filed a separate application on the same issue, seeking enforcement of the CWRC's 28 July direction and asking that the CWMA monitor releases and flows at Biligundlu on a day-to-day basis and report compliance to the court.
The dispute has run through the government's first 100 days. CM Vijay defended his Cauvery strategy in the Assembly on 7 August, saying he was prepared to face humiliation for Tamil Nadu's rights and would pursue every legal avenue available.
Cauvery Dispute Supreme Court CWMA Karnataka August 17, 2026