Bhubaneswar: The flood situation in Odisha showed signs of easing on Tuesday as water levels in Mahanadi began receding after authorities closed eight sluice gates of Hirakud reservoir. Inflows from the upper catchment areas in Chhattisgarh declined too. “There is currently no major flood threat across the state’s key river basins, including the Mahanadi,” said an official release from the engineer-in-chief of water resources department Dilip Rout.The release said water levels in major reservoirs, including Hirakud, and downstream monitoring stations remained under control, with trends showing either stable or falling levels. All major distributaries of Mahanadi, including Birupa, Paika, Luna, Karandia, Chitrotpala, Kathajodi, Kuakhai, Devi, Kandala, Kushabhadra, Daya, Bhargavi, Rajua and Makara, were flowing within safe limits. The department is continuing round-the-clock monitoring across all river basins.No rainfall was reported in the state between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Tuesday. Earlier, Banki recorded the highest rainfall of 45 mm. IMD forecast mostly dry weather for the next three to four days. Odisha has received 316.2 mm rainfall between Sept 1 and 29 against the normal of 233.4 mm, a surplus of 35.5%.Revenue and disaster management department said 43 ODRAF and NDRF teams were deployed in flood-hit districts. District administrations continued precautionary evacuation and relief measures. No fishermen warning is in force. Flood conditions have also improved in southern Odisha. Rivers in Bhadrak, Balasore and Jajpur districts were flowing below danger levels.However, low-lying areas of Cuttack, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts have been affected by the recent flooding. Several areas have faced floods four times this season. Six villages in Tirtol and Kujang blocks of Jagatsinghpur district remained cut off as floodwater continues to surround them. Low-lying villages in Banki and Athagarh blocks of Cuttack were also affected, with three feet of water flowing over Banki-Bilipada-Talabasta road.Flooding was reported from Gop, Balanga and Kanas areas of Puri district, where distributaries of Mahanadi pass through several blocks. “My vegetable crops have been badly damaged as floodwater entered my farm. Paddy has also been affected,” said Babu Sahu, a farmer from Banki.