Bijnor: Two days of heavy rain have caused the Ganga's water level to surge in Bijnor district, rising from 40,000 to 1.6 lakh cusecs within 24 hours and triggering flood fears in several low-lying areas.Piyush Baliyan, a junior engineer at the Ganga Barrage irrigation department, said on Monday , "Ganga is flowing with 1.60 lakh cusec water. However, the water level is still below danger marks. We have urged the people to keep their distance from the river."Strong currents have started eroding farmland, affecting over 25 villages including Gauspur, Fatehpur, Daibalgarh, Brahampuri, Ravali, and Simala. Brahampuri, located at the confluence of the Ganga and Malan rivers, is submerged.

The Malan river bridge is also underwater, cutting off hundreds from the district headquarters.Bijnor district magistrate Jasjit Kaur has issued an advisory asking people to stay away from rivers and ponds. "We've directed the revenue, health, and agriculture departments to monitor vulnerable villages. Flood pickets have been set up in sensitive areas," she said.Meanwhile, the rains also disrupted work on the Delhi–Pauri National Highway (NH-34), causing traffic jams between Bijnor and Mirapur.