Patiala, Aug. 8 -- The district remains on high alert after the water level in the Ghaggar river rose sharply on Thursday morning, inching closer to the danger mark.

According to the drainage department, the river was flowing at 14 feet, just two feet below the critical danger level of 16 feet.

Deputy commissioner Dr Preeti Yadav, however, assured that the situation is under control and there is no cause for panic. She said that the administration had been closely monitoring the river's flow and had already issued an alert on Wednesday based on upstream water levels in Chandigarh and Bhankarpur.

District officials have attributed the rise in water level to a heavy rainfall in upstream areas, particularly Chandigarh and Dera Bassi, whic...