India, July 30 -- Odisha remained on high alert on Thursday, 30 July as the flood situation continued to be grim in four northern districts, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directing all district collectors to remain on alert and ensure timely assistance to affected people, officials said.

Rising water levels in the Mahanadi also triggered fears of a "medium" flood in downstream areas, prompting authorities to alert districts along the river basin.

"I appeal all not to panic over the flood situation. Safety and security of citizens is the priority of the state government," Majhi said in a social media post on Wednesday night.

He said he had directed all district collectors to remain on high alert and ensure timely assistance to ...