Overview
- The Supreme Court on Monday told Karnataka to follow the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s directions on releases and posted the case for review after one week so the court can get an updated status report.
- Karnataka told the court that reservoir gates were opened and that measured flow had risen to about 12,607 cusecs, and the state said it would try to maintain the CWMA‑directed 12,000 cusecs per day.
- Tamil Nadu has an active petition seeking 26.954 TMC of Cauvery water and told the court it has received far less than its claimed entitlement, while the CWMA/CWRC orders currently translate to shorter-term daily release requirements.
- BJP leaders and Kannada activists circulated videos and accused the state of 'midnight' releases from KRS, threats of protests followed, and Karnataka ministers countered that Kabini outflows and seepage explain recent rises in flow.
- Technical issues drive the dispute: the CWMA/CWRC set operational orders, Biligundlu is the official interstate gauge, flows can take about 48 hours to arrive downstream, and the coming week’s status reports will determine whether the regulator’s directions are being met and how farmers and drinking supplies are affected.