Tamil Nadu reiterates demand for ensuring supply of 9.91 TMC water for June
Tamil Nadu: Discussions regarding the Cauvery water sharing have once again intensified. The Tamil Nadu government demanded at a meeting of the Cauvery Water Management Commission that the state be provided with 9.91 TMC of water for the month of June, as per the Supreme Court’s decision. The meeting discussed the issue in detail regarding water sharing and the current water situation.
The 51st meeting of the Cauvery Water Management Authority was held in Delhi on Tuesday, chaired by Chairman S.K. Haldar. The main agenda of the meeting was the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Officials from the Water Resources Departments of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry were also invited.
On behalf of Tamil Nadu, Satyapratha Sahu, Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department, participated in the meeting via video conferencing. She presented the state’s position from the Secretariat in Chennai and briefed on the status of water availability and utilization.
According to a press release issued by the Tamil Nadu government, the water storage at Mettur Dam was recorded at 40,742 TMC as of Monday (May 25). The state representative informed the meeting that 1,003 cubic feet of water is currently being released from the dam per second. This water is being released for drinking purposes, industrial needs, and to maintain environmental flows.
During the meeting, Tamil Nadu stressed that the Cauvery water sharing agreement, as per the Supreme Court order, should be followed to ensure that agriculture and drinking water supplies in the state are not affected. The state stated that a water crisis could arise in the southern districts if the stipulated amount of water is not received.
On the other hand, the situation and water availability in other states were also considered in the meeting. The Cauvery water dispute has long been a sensitive issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with decisions on water distribution based on the monsoon and water storage conditions each year.
Experts believe that the purpose of such meetings is to ensure balanced water distribution among all states and to ensure compliance with Supreme Court directives. This issue assumes greater importance amid growing challenges to water resource management.
The Tamil Nadu government has clarified that the state’s priority is to ensure the well-being of farmers, drinking water supply, and industrial needs. Consequently, it is continuously urging for a timely and adequate supply of Cauvery water.
Following this meeting, all eyes are now on the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s next decision, which will determine the amount of water to be provided to Tamil Nadu for the month of June.
