10/08/2026
The Cauvery water dispute has continued for decades.
But a new question is now being raised in Karnataka.
Did the state release more water than required while failing to store enough water for its own farmers and communities?
Official records show that Karnataka released around 2,746 TMC ft of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu between 2016 and 2026.
The Supreme Court allocation for this period was 1,772.5 TMC ft.
That means nearly 973 TMC ft more water flowed downstream.
At the same time, farmers in Karnataka say water shortages have affected crops, agriculture, livestock and drinking water availability.
In Mandya, 167 out of 968 lakes have reportedly dried up.
Hundreds of other lakes are only 25 to 50 percent full.
Farmer groups are asking an important question:
Could surplus Cauvery water have been stored locally through lake rejuvenation, desilting, watershed development, and better conservation?
It is also a question of water storage, rainfall variability, drought preparedness and how India manages surplus water during good monsoon years.
The Cauvery cannot be managed only through court orders.
It needs better data, stronger water storage systems and cooperation between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
What is your opinion? Should Cauvery water sharing be based on fixed allocations or real-time water availability?