Balasore, Aug. 22: The water level of the Subarnarekha river stood at 11.96 metres near Rajghat this evening against the danger level of 10.36 metres, putting the district administration on high alert.

The level is likely to rise further as about 60,000 cusec water was released from the Chandeli dam of Jharkhand this morning. The district administration has deputed Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and the National Disaster Rapid Action Force teams with boats at the vulnerable pockets.

“The flood has affected more than 200 villages in Baliapal, Basta, Balasore Sadar and Jaleswar blocks. About 150 people from Jaleswar have been evacuated,” said Balasore district emergency officer Bithika Swain.

Two casualties were reported from Mayurbhanj. “We have distributed about 113 quintals of flattened rice and 13 quintals sugar among the affected,” said Mayurbhanj district emergency officer L. Nayak.