DMK leader TKS Elangovan calls Cauvery dispute an issue between two states, vows water for low-lying areas

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 15 (ANI): DMK leader TKS Elangovan on Monday spoke about the water crisis in Tamil Nadu and said that the Cauvery water dispute is not just between two parties but is an issue between two states--Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and said that they aim to make sure that no low-lying area is devoid of water.
The water crisis in the state has been in the spotlight again after Karnataka decided to release only 8,000 cusecs of water from the Cauvery River to Tamil Nadu instead of the 1 tmcft (11,500 cusecs) of water that the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) directed the state to release.
Speaking with ANI, Elangovan said, "Through an all-party meeting, we will decide the course of action which we will take in the Cauvery water dispute. This is an issue between the two states. It's not just between two parties. Water comes from that state (Karnataka) and they think they need more water."
He added, "And our aim is that no low-lying area should be void of water supply. There is an agreement between the two states and there is an order by the authorities. We had already gone to the SC and it had given its decision."
Earlier in the day, BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai slammed the DMK-led state government for taking no constructive measures to mitigate the water crisis in the state. He said that per capita water availability in Tamil Nadu is at an alarming level and that if measures are not taken, the state will face extreme water scarcity by 2050."
The per capita water availability in Tamil Nadu is at an alarming level, & the State government has taken no constructive measures to mitigate this risk," Annamalai posted on X.
"While the cultivable land area is already at a record low, TN will have extreme water scarcity by 2050 if no constructive measures are taken now," he added.
Meanwhile, a day before, after an all-party meeting was held to discuss issues related to the CWRC at Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said, "Today, an all-party meeting took place in which Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, BJP leaders and Mysuru basin leaders were present. They opined that we should not release water and appealed before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). Mohan Katarki, a member of the legal team, suggested that considering the present situation, we can release 8,000 cusecs of water and if rain comes, we will increase the number. This decision has been taken in the meeting."
Earlier in March this year, Bengaluru was gripped by a severe water crisis. As many as 7,082 villages across Karnataka and 1,193 wards, including in Bengaluru Urban District, were vulnerable to a drinking water crisis in the coming months, as per an assessment made by the government as of February 10.
A report by the revenue department has identified the majority of villages in Tumakuru district (746) and most wards in Uttara Kannada, as staring at a grave water crisis in the days ahead.
The governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been locked in a protracted tussle over the sharing of Cauvery waters. The river is seen as a major source of sustenance for the people in the two states. (ANI)