Karnataka may have to release nearly double the 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water directed by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to ensure the stipulated flow reaches the Biligundlu interstate measuring gauge on the Karnataka–Tamil Nadu border.
Hydrology experts have noted that the CWRC’s order requires a daily flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days, rather than merely releasing that quantity from reservoirs. Since the riverbed and banks along the route are currently dry, a significant portion of the released water is expected to be absorbed before reaching the gauge.
In addition to losses caused by the dry riverbed, Karnataka must also account for groundwater recharge, channel losses, and storage within the riverbanks. As a result, water released from the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs may need to be one-and-a-half to two times the prescribed quantity to achieve the required flow at Biligundlu.
At present, Karnataka is releasing 2,045 cusecs of water towards Tamil Nadu, although the actual volume reaching the interstate measuring point is expected to be lower due to transmission losses.
The development highlights the hydrological challenges in implementing the CWRC’s directive amid prevailing dry conditions in the Cauvery basin.
