The Cauvery water dispute involves the distribution of water from the Cauvery River between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) acts as the regulatory body tasked with implementing the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, which was modified by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Recent directives from the CWMA regarding water releases have been met with varying reactions from the involved states. The core of the decision-making process relies on real-time data concerning rainfall, reservoir inflows, and the current storage levels in key dams. When monsoon rains are deficient, the CWMA is required to calculate a pro-rata reduction in water releases to ensure that both states manage their agricultural and drinking water needs equitably.

There is ongoing disagreement regarding the methodology used to calculate these releases. Tamil Nadu officials often argue that the CWMA should strictly adhere to the monthly schedule mandated by the Supreme Court, regardless of local rainfall conditions. Conversely, Karnataka authorities frequently contend that the formula does not sufficiently account for years of severe drought or the immediate drinking water requirements of Bengaluru and surrounding areas. The CWMA maintains that its decisions are based on a technical assessment of the basin's hydrological health, though critics argue the process lacks sufficient transparency regarding how specific volume figures are derived during deficit years.