The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear the Tamil Nadu government’s application seeking the immediate release of its allocated share of Cauvery water from Karnataka.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana agreed to list the matter for hearing on Thursday, August 13, after Tamil Nadu sought urgent consideration of its plea.

“We will list it for hearing on Thursday,” the Chief Justice said, according to a PTI report.

The court has presently only agreed to hear the application. It has not yet issued any fresh direction requiring Karnataka to release additional water.

What Tamil Nadu Has Asked For

The C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government approached the Supreme Court on August 3, alleging that Karnataka had failed to implement directions issued by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee and subsequently affirmed by the Cauvery Water Management Authority.

At its July 28 meeting, the CWRC directed Karnataka to ensure the flow of 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water every day for 15 days, beginning July 29. The direction was upheld by the CWMA on July 30.

Tamil Nadu has asked the Supreme Court to ensure implementation of that decision and direct Karnataka to compensate for the shortfall recorded since July 29.

State Claims Releases Were Far Below Direction

The Tamil Nadu government claimed that the water flow measured at Biligundlu—the interstate measuring point on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border—ranged between only 158 and 550 cusecs from July 29 to August 2.

This was substantially below the directed flow of 3,500 cusecs per day, the State submitted.

Tamil Nadu also said the combined storage in Karnataka’s Krishna Raja Sagara, Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathy reservoirs stood at 77.537 thousand million cubic feet as of August 3.

The State claimed that recent rainfall in the catchment areas meant Karnataka could release Tamil Nadu’s proportionate share without facing serious difficulty.

Dispute Over 4.536 TMC and 26.954 TMC

The release of 3,500 cusecs per day for 15 days corresponds to approximately 4.536 TMC of water.

Tamil Nadu has, however, claimed that the proportionate amount it should receive under the applicable water-sharing arrangement is 26.954 TMC. It has described the 4.536-TMC allocation as inadequate.

These figures represent Tamil Nadu’s submissions and have not yet been adjudicated by the Supreme Court in the present application. Karnataka will have an opportunity to place its position before the Bench when the matter is heard.

DMK Also Approaches Supreme Court

The opposition DMK has separately approached the Supreme Court, seeking immediate enforcement of the CWRC and CWMA directions.

Its application asks for Karnataka to maintain a daily flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days and make good the shortfall accumulated since July 29.

The party has also sought day-to-day monitoring of reservoir releases and flows at Biligundlu by the Cauvery Water Management Authority. The New Indian Express reported details of both applications.

Why the Hearing Matters

Cauvery water is crucial for irrigation and drinking-water requirements across Tamil Nadu’s delta districts. Disagreements become particularly contentious during deficient-rainfall years, when both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu face pressure to protect their reservoirs and standing crops.

The August 13 hearing will determine whether the Supreme Court considers an immediate release necessary, directs the CWMA to monitor compliance more closely or first seeks a detailed response from Karnataka.