Flash floods have killed nine people in Orissa as officials on Friday warned that the situation may worsen when water released from the state’s largest reservoir reaches the coastal districts. Although there was no fresh rainfall on Friday, officials said things were going to be worse when the water released from Hirakud reservoir on Thursday reaches the interior parts of the coastal districts by Friday evening.

With other rivers such as the Subarnarekha, Baitarani & Brahmani in spate, one person was feared drowned in flood waters of the river Tel in Sonepur, while two flood & rain related deaths each were reported from Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur & Kendrapara districts. All major state rivers & their tributaries were flowing above the danger level due to the heavy rains. More than a million people in 12 of the state’s 30 districts were affected.

The maximum capacity of the dam is 630 feet & the water level has already crossed 629 feet. At least 22 gates of the dam were opened on Thursday & four more dam gates were opened Friday.