Karnataka in distress, can't release Cauvery water: Minister

Law Minister T B Jayachandra on Monday justified the state’s decision not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu stating that the neighbouring state could still expect rains due to northeast monsoon.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Jayachandra said Karnataka was facing distress and the present water availability in the four reservoirs of Cauvery basin was barely sufficient to meet the state’s drinking water needs.

Northeast monsoon
“Tamil Nadu still can get rains in the coming months due to northeast monsoon which begins in September. Besides, there is sufficient water in Mettur dam. But, northeast monsoon do no hit Karnataka”, Jayachandra said. He said there was no justification in Tamil Nadu’s petition before the Supreme Court seeking a direction to Karnataka to release 50 tmcft of Cauvery water.
  
He said the government’s first priority would be to protect the interest of farmers in the Cauvery basin. Karnataka would file its submission before the Supreme Court in a week’s time, Jayachandra said.