Bhubaneswar, July 24: Many low-lying areas of Bhadrak, Jajpur and Keonjhar districts have been inundated following rise in the water level of Baitarani and Brahmani rivers.

Several areas of north Odisha are also under threat of an imminent flood with Subarnarekha river in spate.

The district administrations of Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts have been kept on alert due to rise in the water level of the Subarnarekha at Jamsolaghat and Rajghat.

Due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment of river Baitarani, the water level of the river crossed the danger level at Akhuapada around 6pm when it was flowing at 18.10m as compared to the danger level of 17.83m at Akhupada. The water was still rising.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik held a review meeting at the state secretariat to assess the state's preparedness to face the flood threat.

In a statement, the state government said the officers of the departments of health and family welfare, panchayati raj and drinking water and housing and urban development have been asked to ensure supply of safe drinking water and health and hygiene to prevent outbreak of any water-borne disease. Also, arrangements have been made for free kitchen in the flood-affected areas.

After the meeting, the chief minister directed the officials to deploy patrolling teams to keep a watch on weak and vulnerable embankments and protect them.

Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, National Disaster Response Force and the fire services have already been deployed in the vulnerable areas.

There is no immediate threat of flood in the Mahanadi river system even though 10 sluice gates of the Hirakud reservoir were opened today.

"The released water will take 30 hours to reach Cuttack. But we will be able to handle 9 lakh cusec of water near Naraj at Cuttack. In an emergency situation, the state can handle 12 lakh to 13 cusec of water," said Ramesh Tripathy, former chief engineer of the water resources department.