Bhubaneswar, July 19 (Inditop.com) The death toll in the Orissa flash floods, triggered by heavy monsoon rains over the past week, rose to 27 Sunday after two more people died in Ganjam district, an official said.

The highest number – 11 deaths – have been reported from Nayagarh district followed by four in Ganjam. Kenojhar, Koraput, Kandhamal and Cuttack reported three deaths each, Bhimsen Gochayat, officer on special duty in the state revenue control room, told IANS.

While majority of the deaths were due to drowning some died when their mud houses collapsed, the official said.

The river Rusikulya is flowing above danger level in several places in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, he said.

The same river has developed at least eight breaches in different places and submerged hundreds of acres of land in the low lying areas, he said.