New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Karnataka government to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu everyday till September 20, modifying its earlier order of 15,000 cusecs water.

The apex court bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Jutice Uday Umesh Lalit gave the direction while modifying its September 5 order by which it had asked Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water for the next ten days.

The court rejected Karnataka's plea to keep the September 5 order in abeyance.

Taking exception to Karnataka, citing law and order situation as a ground for keeping suspension of the September 5 order, the court said it was the obligation of Karnataka government and people to ensure compliance of the top court's order.

The court also asked the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments to ensure that observance of law and order situation by people in both states.