A Balasore report said the rising water level in Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga and their tributaries Kochila, Genguti and Jalaka submerged thousands of acres of agricultural land in Basta, Baliapal, Jaleswar, Bhograi and Sadar blocks and disrupted road communication between North Balasore and the district headquarters.

Many villages under the Mathari, Kulida, Bahrda, Sadanandapur, Rautpada and Honkueli gram panchayats were also affected after the Pegarpada embankment was damaged near Basta.

Meanwhile, the district administration has directed the block development officers to alert people and take preventive measures.

As many as 279 villages in 63 gram panchayats of Cuttack and Kendrapara districts were submerged by rain water. Reviewing the situation at a meeting here, State Revenue minister Raghunath Patnaik todaydirected the special relief commissioner to provide relief to the affected people. Patnaik also directed the district administration of Mayurbhanj and Balasore to take preventive measures.