MYSURU/BENGALURU: With nearly 4tmcft of water flowing from Kabini in Karnataka to Tamil Nadu between Saturday and late Sunday, the Congress govt said it would monitor Tamil Nadu’s legal move over Cauvery dispute while keeping all legal options, including an appeal in Supreme Court, open to protect Karnataka’s interests.Sudden revival of monsoon in the past 48 hours has eased Karnataka’s pressure on Cauvery water dispute.According to sources in Cauvery Neeravari Nigam, in the 24 hours ending Sunday at 8am, a total of 1.29tmcft of water had been released from Kabini dam, part of Cauvery basin. The exact quantum of outflow by Sunday night will be known by Monday morning, officials said.Authorities of Kabini dam released 25,000 cusecs late Saturday before scaling it down to 10,000 cusecs by 8am Sunday. Four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin are collectively receiving an inflow of 81,000 cusecs a day. Karnataka has to maintain 40tmcft of water in its reservoirs.While stating that recent rainfall in the Cauvery basin has resulted in natural downstream flows, chief minister DK Shivakumar, after a three-hour all-party meeting in Bengaluru, said the govt has decided to comply with Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) directive.In a deft play of semantics, the CM said Karnataka had not released water specifically for Tamil Nadu. The Kabini dam had reached full capacity and the authorities discharged excess water only to ensure the dam’s safety. The CM affirmed continued priority to drinking water and to safeguard the interests of farmers and people of Karnataka.He said Karnataka had received 30-35% of normal rainfall, leading to drought-like conditions, but TN has sought release of 9.9tmcft of Cauvery water. While Cauvery Water Regulation Committee recommended releasing 3,500 cusecs a day and CWMA later endorsed the recommendation, Karnataka was considering challenging the direction in the top court. “The state’s legal strategy would be reviewed regularly as CWRC and CWMA are expected to meet every 15 days until Jan,” he said.Surge in Kabini dam waters and welcome revival of monsoon in catchment areas have accelerated inflows into Krishnarajasagara reservoir to 31,583 cusecs Sunday, which is more than double of Saturday’s inflow.
