TN farmers reject K’taka Dy CM’s assurance on Mekedatu dam, urge CM Stalin to ensure daily Cauvery release

In Chennai, farmers have sharply rebuffed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s claim that the Mekedatu dam will not cut into Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water.

Shivakumar said the dam would not block water flow to the south, and that Karnataka is ready to build it. He also promised a balancing reservoir to keep the river flowing during droughts.

Tamil Nadu farmers disagree. They argue that Karnataka keeps missing the monthly water releases the Supreme Court has ordered. The apex court’s ruling confirmed that Tamil Nadu is entitled to 9.19 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) in June and 31.24 TMC in July, but actual deliveries have been far lower.

Farmers say the irregular and late releases make it hard to plan their crops and threaten thousands of families who depend on Cauvery irrigation. They point out that Karnataka usually releases water only when its reservoirs fill up during monsoon, leaving Tamil Nadu in a dry spell.

The south‑state farmers want a daily water‑release schedule, not just monthly quotas, to guarantee steady irrigation for the ongoing farming season. They urge Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to push hard for daily releases and to make sure Karnataka follows the Supreme Court’s orders.

With crop production growing swiftly in the delta, farmers warn that any further delay or cut in water could cause huge agricultural losses. They call on the Tamil Nadu government to negotiate firmly with Karnataka to secure uninterrupted Cauvery water and prevent a deeper irrigation crisis.

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