Published By: Saurabh Verma
Last Updated: September 20, 2023, 22:45 IST
Karnataka Unable to Release Water to Tamil Nadu Due to Drought-Like Situation: CM Siddaramaiah
In response to the order the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to release 5,000 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu until September 28, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that the state government will appeal in the Supreme Court for an injunction. Citing the “drought-like situation” in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah expressed concerns over the lack of rainfall and water availability, leading to 195 out of 230 taluks being declared as drought-hit.
Siddaramaiah has also sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this matter. He further shared that the Supreme Court had previously mandated the release of 177.25 TMC of Cauvery water in a normal year but did not specify the quantity during distress years. Due to the water deficit, Karnataka has only released 39.6 TMC of water so far.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar echoed Siddaramaiah’s concerns, stating that there is very little inflow of water in the state. He emphasized that Karnataka is facing a distress situation as it has only one-third of the required water. Furthermore, the CWMA has not provided a formula for determining the quantum of water to be released during such circumstances.
Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi urged the Congress government in Karnataka not to politicize the matter. He suggested that the state government should engage in negotiation with Tamil Nadu’s DMK government, highlighting their alliance.
Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar are expected to meet the Union Jal Shakti Minister to discuss the ongoing water crisis in Karnataka. The state government aims to present its case and seek support from Union Ministers and Members of Parliament from Karnataka.
It is important to note that this news article has not been edited News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed (PTI).
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Saurabh Verma is a Senior Sub-editor at news18.com. He covers general, national, and international news on a daily basis with a keen focus on politics. Read more about him [here](https://www.news18.com/byline/saurabh-verma-22693.html).