Tamil Nadu's political parties, including Vijay's TVK and the DMK, staged protests in Parliament and across the state demanding immediate water release from Karnataka.
Farmers in Tamil Nadu resorted to burying themselves in sand to protest the delay, while Karnataka authorities have been urged to release water by Tuesday.
Actor-turned-politician Vijay deferred a planned visit to Karnataka following an appeal by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar to maintain peace amid rising regional tensions.