Everything that happened in Cauvery Water Release Row

Pro-Kannada groups called a statewide Karnataka bandh on August 13 from 6am to 6pm, protesting the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) directive to release water to Tamil Nadu.

The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) recommended, and the CWMA upheld, that Karnataka release 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water daily for 15 days, about 5 TMC.

Karnataka opposed the release, citing acute drought and a drinking water crisis, but the CWMA rejected the state's plea.

Vatal Nagaraj, president of the Federation of Pro-Kannada Organisations, appealed for support for the bandh.

The Karnataka government called an all-party meeting on August 2 to discuss opposition to the water release order.

Karnataka may release more Cauvery water than the CWRC-ordered quantity.

Extra release is needed due to water loss from a dry riverbed before reaching the Biligundlu gauge.

Experts estimate up to 7,000 cusecs may be released daily.

Reservoir storage is low and there is a rainfall deficit.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the state will challenge the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee order to release 3,500 cusecs per day for 15 days.

The state will move the Cauvery Water Management Authority after consulting the Advocate General, legal experts, and officials.

Shivakumar noted that implementing the order may require releasing nearly double the stipulated amount due to dry riverbed conditions before Biligundlu.

The order was issued despite deficient rainfall across Karnataka, prompting protests in the state.

Shivakumar invited Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay to inspect drought conditions in Karnataka's Cauvery basin before taking a view on the dispute.

Cauvery Water Management Authority ordered Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs water daily to Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu had requested 7,000 cusecs per day for 15 days.

The order is a setback for Karnataka in the long-standing water dispute.