Balasore, July 30: The district administration is on a high alert following warning from the meteorological department for a possible flood and instructions from the state government to be ready to tackle the situation.

Subarnarekha, the major river of the region, was flowing above the warning level at 9.45 metre here today, while floodwater has crossed the danger level of 10.36 metres at Rajghat this evening.

According to the forecast of the Central Water Commission, the water level in Subarnarekha will be around 10.90 metre by 9am tomorrow.

The district administration has already started to evacuate people from low-lying areas of north Balasore to safer places.

“The water level will rise further as heavy rainfall is continuing in the upper catchment areas,” said an officer of the district emergency office.

Most areas of the district have been experiencing incessant rainfall since yesterday, while Bhograi block has received the highest of rainfall at 57mm.

District collector B. Parameswaran said: “Weathermen have forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours triggered by a deep depression. The upper catchments of rivers are also experiencing heavy rainfall. The district administration is prepared to face any eventuality.”

Block development officers of Basta, Baliapal,Jaleswar and Bhograi have been to evacuate people to safer places. Two units of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force have already been positioned. Two more units have already been requisitioned from Baripada and Cuttack.

The district officials were asked to make alternative arrangements to mobilise logistics to north Balasore if the flood affects the NH-60.

Apart from Subarnarekha, two other rivers flowing through the district are also in spate. Jalka was flowing above the danger level (5.50 metres measured near Mathani) today, while Budhabalanga was flowing just below the warning level at 7.21 metres.