BJP alleges midnight release of Cauvery water from KRS amid Karnataka's court challenge

A BJP representative from Mandya, Manjunath C T, asserted that water began flowing from the Krishnaraja Sagar dam around midnight, resulting in a noticeable increase in the Cauvery river's level. This claim emerges after the Cauvery Water Management Authority backed a directive from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee requiring Karnataka to deliver 12,000 cusecs each day to Tamil Nadu for a 15-day period starting August 12.

The Karnataka government intends to contest the directive before the Supreme Court on Monday and may opt to release a modest volume to demonstrate it is not wholly ignoring the order. Water Resources Department officials suggested such a partial release could help the state argue its compliance while maintaining the legal challenge. The state previously warned that full compliance would strain water supplies for local agriculture and drinking needs.

Manjunath also posted a video he said showed the release, though its timing could not be independently verified. In response, civil police and the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force have bolstered security around the KRS reservoir in Srirangapatna to deter trespassers.