Farmers in Mandya, Karnataka, protested again on Tuesday, asking that the government cease releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, news agency PTI reported. A 23-second video clip shows a gathering of farmers protesting the release of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu in Karnataka's Mandya. The viral video also shows the farmers burning a sign and shouting slogans against the release of Cauvery River water.






Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar stated on Tuesday that the state is unable to provide Cauvery river water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu owing to a lack of enough rainfall in the river basin region.


Shivakumar, who is also the Water Resources Minister, made the comment after the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) suggested today that Karnataka give 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu every day for the next 15 days.


However, after state government's response, Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) stated: "Karnataka made submissions that it is not in a position to release water unless the inflows into the reservoirs improves. CWRC has recommended that Karnataka to ensure 5,000 cusecs realisation at Biligundlu for the next 15 days starting from tomorrow morning," ANI reported. 






Speaking with reporters, Dy CM Shivakumar stated: "I'm making it clear that we don't have water. They (CWRC) have given the order (recommendation), tomorrow the matter is going before the higher committee -- Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), where our Secretary will be there, he is a member of it. The Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) and I discussed the matter in the morning and we have told our officials that we will not be able to release water."


In response to the CWRC suggestion, he stated that Tamil Nadu is claimed to have requested 12,500 cusecs, while the CWRC guideline is for 5,000 cusecs, "but as of now there is no water."


"Tonight and tomorrow morning we will discuss with our Delhi legal experts...we have to save the water for drinking. Farmer's situation comes next, drinking water is the priority now. So, we will inform the Authority that it will be very difficult for us," he added.


Earlier today, CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar along with cabinet ministers held an emergency meeting over the Cauvery water-sharing issue after CWRC ordered Karnataka to release 5000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, according to Chief Minister's Office.