3,000 cusec/day for Tamil Nadu till September 30

Despite day-long discussions, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu failed to reach an agreement on the quantum of water to be released. Union Water Resources Secretary and Chairman of the committee Shashi Shekhar used his power asking Karnataka to release 3000 cusec of water daily to Tamil Nadu from September 21 to 30. 

“They have not agreed. The two states are free to challenge this order in the Supreme Court when it takes up the matter tomorrow or they can agree with the order before the court,” Shekhar told reporters after the meeting. 

The Supreme Court had on September 5 asked Karnataka to release 15,000 cusec of water per day for 10 days to Tamil Nadu to ameliorate plight of farmers there. The interim order led to protests in parts of Karnataka, especially in Mandya district, considered the hotbed of politics over Cauvery issue.

Meanwhile, a report from Tiruchy said that the release of 5000 cusec from Mettur on September 20 is expected to reach Upper anaicut (Mukkombu on September 23 late night and would reach Grand Anicut (Kallanai) on September 24. 

Officials said that until the water reaches the tail-end region of Delta region, release into the sub canals and channels would not be possible. After reaching Grand Anaicut, the water would be released to four branches - Kallanai canal, Kollidam, Cauvery and Vennaru. 

The water released to Kallanai canal would benefit, Pattukottai, Orathanadu and Peravurani areas in Thanjavur district while the water released to Kollidam would benefit Sirkazhi, Chidambaram, Mayavaram and reach Peechavaram. 

The water released to Cauvery would benefit Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi and reach Poombuhar. Vennaru water would reach Nagapattinam, Karaikal and 16 rivers in Nagai region and around 1000 A.B,C category channels. 

Out of the total 5000 cusec, around 500 cusec would go waste and the remaining 4500 cusec water would be distributed in all the sections of the Delta region.