Amid ongoing protests across Karnataka over Cauvery river water release, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) on Tuesday recommended Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs of water everyday to Tamil Nadu from Thursday onwards.
The decision was taken after a committee meeting was held on Tuesday in the wake of protest bandh declared in Bengaluru by farmers and Kannada organisations backed by the BJP and JD(S) over the release of water.
Earlier, the state was directed to release 5,000 cusecs of water Tamil Nadu, which was opposed by the officials. Officials told the committee that due to drought-like situation in Karnataka, they are facing severe shortage of water. Till Monday, the shortfall in cumulative inflows to Karnataka's four reservoirs was up to 53.04 per cent.
Around 160 taluks were declared severely affected by drought in the state. The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government pointed out to the committee that the state was not in a position to release more water from its reservoirs or contribute any flows to maintain water levels at Biligundlu due to the extreme drought situation in many taluks.
Considering the government's aspects too, CWRC had recommended the release of 3,000 cusecs of water at Biligundlu till October 15.
Meanwhile, the bandh had hit the daily life activities of people in Bengaluru as restaurants, schools and offices were shut due to the protest.