Bhubaneswar, Aug 13: The water level of Jalaka and Baitarani rivers crossed danger marks in Balasore and Bhadrak districts respectively on Saturday following heavy rainfall in their upper catchment areas.

According to sources, the water level in Jalaka River breached the danger mark near Mathani in Basta block of Balasore district, with water flowing at 6.25 metres against the danger mark of 5.5 metres.

Likewise, Baitarani was flowing above danger mark at 17.88 metre near Akhuapada in Bhadrak against the danger mark of 17.83 metres.

Meanwhile, the Hirakud dam authorities opened four more sluice gates on the day to release excess floodwater to downstream Mahanadi. Currently, the authorities have opened 28 gates to release the excess water. Currently, the inflow of water into the dam reservoir is 3,97,451 cusec.

It is pertinent to mention that, the regional centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar has forecast that the rainfall intensity will increase in Odisha from Saturday.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been predicted on August 13-14.