Persistent heavy rainfall in Bijnor district has caused the Malan River to swell significantly, resulting in a dire situation for three families on Friday. Two separate tragic incidents occurred within hours of each other, spreading fear and anxiety across the region. In these separate accidents, a 43-year-old man and two young teenagers were swept away by the powerful current, and a massive rescue operation is currently underway to locate them.
Ravindra's Fatal Attempt to Cross the River
The first incident took place on the Ravli-Brahmpuri causeway within the Mandawar police station area. Ravindra (43), the son of Atar Singh and a resident of Kukda village in the Haldaur block, was en route to visit relatives in Shahjadpur. When he arrived at the causeway, the Malan River was flowing aggressively. Local villagers repeatedly warned him against trying to cross the submerged path, but he ignored their advice. As he reached the middle of the causeway, he lost his footing and was carried away by the intense current. A bystander captured the entire incident on a mobile camera, and the footage has since gone viral. The incident occurred around 4:00 PM. Police arrived at the scene shortly after, while local villagers continue to demand the deployment of professional divers to assist in the search.
Two Teenagers Missing After Bathing in the River
By 5:30 PM, a second, equally distressing incident occurred in the Malan River involving two teenagers from Mohalla Rahatganj in the town of Kiratpur. According to the police, 16-year-old Shaban, son of Sadab, and 15-year-old Azeem, son of Azam, had gone to the riverbank to bathe. While they were in the water, the current intensified suddenly, sweeping both of them away. Upon receiving news of the incident, local police and administrative officials rushed to the spot. A rescue operation involving specialized divers was immediately launched to find the missing boys. As of the time of reporting, no trace of either teenager had been found, and the search efforts remain ongoing.
Public Warnings and Security Concerns
Due to the relentless rain, the water level of the Malan River is rising steadily. The district administration has issued an urgent appeal for residents to stay away from overflowing rivers, flooded causeways, and areas with fast-flowing water, warning them not to take any unnecessary risks. Meanwhile, these two major accidents on the same day have raised serious questions regarding the preparedness and security arrangements of the local administration. Local residents have pointed out the urgent need for sufficient security measures, warning signs at sensitive locations, and the permanent deployment of rescue teams to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
