Viewpoint | Will Cauvery Flow in Peace?

Chennai: Cauvery has been hogging the headlines for the last few weeks. The embers of the Cauvery river water dispute between the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka refuse to die down, owing to recurring water-sharing disagreements, low monsoon rainfall and the contentious Mekedatu dam project. Whenever tensions peak during monsoon rain deficit years, Cauvery Water Management Authority and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee step in and direct Karnataka to release water quota to Tamil Nadu.

While Tamil Nadu relies heavily on the river for agriculture across millions of acres, Karnataka says it needs more water for drinking and local farming needs.

Tamil Nadu is against Karnataka’s plan to build a reservoir at Mekedatu to store water for Bengaluru's drinking needs and power generation. The Tamil Nadu government has stated the dam project violates Supreme Court verdicts and the Cauvery Tribunal award by giving Karnataka upstream control to restrict downstream water flow.

Cauvery has been considered as a sacred deity in Tamil Nadu with people celebrating its arrival with joy. Tamil literature and tradition have, since ancient times, praised and honoured the Cauvery for bringing food and prosperity. Ponniyin Selvan, Kalki's classic historical novel, remains cherished across generations for its enduring association with the Chola legacy and the Cauvery river basin.

Emotions are bound to run high in the coming week as political parties and various outfits up the ante on the Mekedatu issue. Let us hope the situation does not spiral out of control, affecting people's lives and livelihoods.