Balasore, Sept. 3: The fear of flash floods looms over Balasore as all rivers flowing through the district are in spate following torrential rains in the catchment areas.

While Jalaka was flowing above the danger level ( 5.5 metres) at six metres, the Budhabalanga’s water level was eight metres and rising against the danger mark of 8.13 metres. The river Subarnarekha’s water flow showed increasing trend, although at 9.14 metres, it was flowing below the danger mark.

Several villages of Basta, Balasore Sadar and Remuna blocks were marooned, as both Jalaka and Budhabalanga rivers have swelled. Low-lying areas of Balasore town have been inundated.

“The connecting roads for several villages under Sadar block were submerged as a result of which the inhabitants have been cut off from the mainland,” said Sadar tehsildar, Pinaki Pattnaik. .

“The water level of river Budhabalanga has remained steady after water discharge from Kala dam in the upper catchment of the river was restricted,” he added.

The Budhabalanga has been swelling since Thursday, after water was released from Kala dam upstream.

“We had requested the Kala dam authorities to restrict water discharge. Accordingly the discharge was reduced,” said the executive engineer of irrigation division, Pranabandhu Panda.

“Although the upper catchment areas — Chandanpur, Baripada, Balimunduli, Jaipur and Gobindapur — have received a good rainfall during last 24 hours, it won’t create much of a problem,” he said.