Bhubaneswar: With the water level of the Subarnarekha river rising, residents of low-lying areas in Balasore district are bracing for another possible flood, even as many families in north Odisha are still struggling to recover from the inundation that hit them two weeks ago.The fresh fear has been triggered by heavy rain warnings for Balasore and neighbouring districts, and the release of excess water from Galudih barrage in Jharkhand. Six gates of the barrage have been opened, raising concern that the river may swell further and affect Jaleswar, Bhograi and Baliapal blocks.Officials said the Subarnarekha was flowing below the danger mark on Sunday, but the level could rise gradually if the upper catchment areas receive more rain and discharge. Local administrations have been asked to remain alert, identify vulnerable habitations and keep boats, dry food and emergency teams ready for quick evacuation if required.The threat comes when people in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Keonjhar and parts of other districts are yet to come to terms with the previous round of flooding. Several villages had remained marooned, paddy fields were submerged, houses were damaged and livestock losses were reported during the last spell. Many families are still drying grain, repairing mud walls and cleaning wells contaminated by floodwater.“We are yet to recover from the trauma of the last two consecutive floods in July and August. We have lost our crop, which is the only earning of our family. We cannot afford another flood,” said Sudam Dalai of Baliapal in Balasore district.Sabitri Behera, a resident of a low-lying village near Bhograi, said her family had only returned home last week. “The water damaged our stored rice and school books of the children. If the river rises again, we will have to leave with nothing but clothes and documents,” she said.Balasore recorded the highest rainfall in the state on Sunday at 48.9mm. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red warning for Balasore, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts under the influence of a low-pressure area over the sea. Heavy to very heavy rain is likely at several places, while isolated areas may receive extremely heavy rainfall during the next 24 hours.Revenue and disaster management department officials said district control rooms are monitoring rainfall, river gauge readings and barrage releases round the clock. People near riverbanks have been advised to avoid crossing swollen streams and move early if warned.