The water level of Mahanadi showed a rising trend following heavy rains triggered by a low pressure as three more persons died due to flash floods and rainrelated incidents on Wednesday. Worst hit were southern districts Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Ganjam as many places remained cut off with flash floods in hilly streams and rivulets breaching and submerging roads. One person got drowned in flooded Reba river in Dhamnagar area of Bhadrak district and another was swept away by strong current of Bena canal. A 22-year-old woman was killed when the wall of her house collapsed at Sindhuri village in Nayagarh district. The water level in some rivers was rising following heavy rains in many parts of the State during the past two days. However, the water level is falling in Brahmani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha and Rushikulya rivers. The water level of Mahanadi river at Naraj was at 25.60m as against the danger level of 26.41m. All the branch rivers of Mahanadi are also rising. Sources in the Water Resources Department said about 6 lakh cusecs of water entered the river system since last night due to rains on the upper catchment areas. The Deltaic region of the river system also received heavy rainfall during the last 48 hours. Hirakud dam is swelling with its water level at 603 feet as against the full reservoir capacity of 630 feet. Bansadhara was in spate in Gunupur. Its water level was at 82.68m as against the danger level of 84m. Fear of flood looms large as the Met centre here predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by highspeed wind in most parts of the State during the next 48 hours.