Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay postponed his Bengaluru visit for Cauvery water talks with Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar, following Shivakumar's request due to protests in Karnataka over a water release directive. Vijay accepted to maintain cordial inter-state relations.
Karnataka began releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu following heavy rainfall in Kerala's Wayanad district, which increased inflows into the Kabini reservoir. This action follows a directive from the Cauvery Water Management Authority, despite ongoing drought threats and protests in Karnataka, with the Mekedatu project proposed as a long-term solution.
Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra wrote to Tamil Nadu CM Vijay, urging cooperation on the Cauvery water dispute and support for the Mekedatu reservoir project. This follows renewed tensions after CWMA directed Karnataka to release water, leading to protests and a Supreme Court plea by DMK.
The DMK has moved the Supreme Court, seeking directions for Karnataka to immediately release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, citing the 2018 verdict and CWMA's recent order for 3,500 cusecs daily for 15 days. Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar appealed to protesters to withdraw agitation, emphasizing compliance with judicial orders while protecting farmers' interests.
Seven workers died and six were injured after a massive boulder collapsed at Cauvery Crushers quarry in Ramanagara, Karnataka. The incident has sparked renewed concerns over quarry safety and illegal mining, with calls for criminal action against owners and officials, and a government pledge to crack down on illegal operations.
Tamil Nadu's assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union government to reject Karnataka's Mekedatu dam project, citing violations of tribunal and Supreme Court orders regarding Cauvery water allocation.
