Cauvery River Conflict Continues as Karnataka Grapples with Water Shortages
The age-old Cauvery water dispute, which has persisted since the British era, remains a contentious issue between the Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu . Dating back to 1924, an agreement permitted Mysore, now Karnataka, to construct a dam for the storage of Cauvery River water. However, the introduction of a review clause after 50 years initiated a series of disputes. In 1990, the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) was established to address this protracted conflict, involving not only Karnataka and Tamil Nadu but also Kerala and Puducherry. The tribunal issued temporary orders mandating Karnataka to release a specified volume of water to Tamil Nadu on a monthly or weekly basis. The latest development centers on the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directing Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for a 15-day period. Karnataka, citing its own acute water shortage, has expressed its inability to comply. Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Sidd...