BHUBANESWAR: Even as a cyclonic circulation has formed off the Orissa coast, some parts of northern Orissa witnessed flash floods as the rivers were in spate following persistent rains. Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts were affected by floods in Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga rivers.In Balasore, initial estimates said about 20 panchayats were marooned with villagers waiting for succour. Similarly, at least 20 villages in Badasahi block of Mayurbhanj were affected by flash floods.While two deaths due to wall collapse were reported from Mayurbhanj’s Jharpokharia, 45-year-old Bablu Hembram of Rangamatia village under Raibania police limits of Balasore fell into a flooded quarry and died.The incessant rains also damaged standing crops in the two districts even as the weather office forecast that the cyclonic circulation may turn into a low pressure and trigger more rains in the region.With monsoon remaining active and the system inducing rains across many parts of the State, Met department sources said northern Orissa could witness more showers. The low pressure will move towards Jharkhand triggering rains over north coastal Orissa, which could leave both Baitarani and Budhabalanga rivers in spate.On Sunday, Mahanadi, Brahmani and Baitarani rivers showed rising trends at certain points. Although Balasore witnessed flash floods, all the three rivers __ Subarnarekha, Jalaka and Budhabalanga __ were receding. The flow of Mahanadi had risen at Khairmal and Tikarpada, but there was no apprehension of flood since release of water from Chhattisgarh was not alarming in the absence of sufficient rains. Hirakud dam was just about 79 per cent full while 22 gates had been thrown open.
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