Berhampur: A rise in water level in major rivers flowing in Ganjam and Gajapati districts has given rise to flood fears. Water levels in Rushikulya, Vansadhara, Badanadi and Loharkhandi rivers have risen due to heavy rain in their catchment areas.“If there is more rainfall in the catchment areas of Rushikulya and Vansadhara, we can’t rule out a flood in these rivers and their tributaries,” said a senior engineer in the water resources department. The IMD has forecast heavy rain in southern Odisha, including Ganjam and Gajapati districts, for the next two days.As a precautionary measure, the department has released water from different reservoirs, including Bhanjanagar, Baghua and Dhanei, in the last two days, official sources said. “If the water level increases, we will release water from Baghalati dam too,” said Subrat Patnaik, superintendent engineer, Chikiti division.In the last 24 hours ending at 8 am, Ganjam district recorded an average rainfall of 60.12 mm, while the highest rainfall was recorded in Sanakhemundi (98 mm), followed by Digapahandi (95.5 mm), Berhampur (Brajanagar, 91 mm), Berhampur (Gandhi Nagar, 88 mm), Kukudakhandi (80 mm) and Dharakote (78.2 mm).In Gajapati district, the highest rainfall was recorded in Paralakhemundi (121.4 mm), followed by Gosani (120 mm) and Mohana (103 mm). The average rainfall in the district was 71.64 mm during the period.Due to the heavy rain, roadside trees were uprooted at different places in Kashinagar NAC and Budubudia in Mohana block in Gajapati district. The fire personnel and ODRAF team cleared the roads. Fisheries and animal resource minister Gokulanand Mallick is monitoring the situation in the district. The Gajapati administration has evacuated around 7,000 people from the vulnerable pockets and provided shelter at 150 temporary shelter camps, sources said.In Ganjam district, a huge boulder rolled from the hill at Badaghati on NH-16 near Khallikote on Thursday, disrupting communication.