The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) faces a pressing need to devise a distress-sharing formula for the Cauvery River due to recent submissions by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Both states acknowledge the concept but disagree on the specifics. Tamil Nadu factors in deficits in Karnataka’s reservoir inflows and Cauvery catchment rainfall patterns, while Karnataka argues that assessing distress must await the conclusion of both the southwest and northeast monsoons by January’s end. CWMA, an Indian government-established regulatory body, oversees equitable water distribution among riparian states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, emphasizing the importance of fair water management.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Distress-Sharing Formula: A mechanism designed to address water shortages during droughts or other emergencies by determining how water resources are shared among states or regions.
- Riparian States: States or regions that are located along the course of a river, sharing its waters. In this context, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry are the riparian states of the Cauvery River.
- Southwest Monsoon and Northeast Monsoon: Seasonal wind patterns in India that bring significant rainfall. The southwest monsoon typically occurs from June to September, while the northeast monsoon occurs from October to December, both having a crucial impact on water availability.
- Cauvery Catchment: The geographical area where rainfall contributes to the Cauvery River’s water flow, affecting its overall water levels.
