If there is a natural calamity, or if the rain persists, we will take a call. But as of now, the polls are on schedule: Shri Shantmanu
Uncertainty looms large over the upcoming by-elections after unseasonal snowfall and heavy rains create a flood-like situation in the restive Kashmir valley.
The first phase of by-elections for Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency of central Kashmir is slated to be held on Sunday. The last day of the polls is on Friday, but the flood alarm has left people in doubts over the final poll dates.
Election authorities are keeping their fingers crossed given the rising water levels in Jhelum and its tributaries. Sources are not ruling out the chances of postponing the polls if a flood is officially declared in Kashmir.
"If there is a natural calamity, or if the rain persists, we will take a call. But as of now, the polls are on schedule," Shri Shantmanu, Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir, told DNA.
Two days of incessant rains have swelled Jhelum and its tributaries prompting the Mehbooba Mufti government to declare a flood alert. Water level at Jhelum was recorded at 19.70 feet at 5 pm at the Sangam gauge, which is 1.70 feet above alarm level and three inches below flood declaration level. Flood is declared is when the water level touches 21 feet at Sangam. Jhelum however was flowing at 10 feet at Asham gauge three feet below the alarm level.
"Due to continuous rains since the morning of April 5, the gauge at Sangam has touched the alert level of 18 feet. People residing along the embankments of Jhelum and in low lying areas of south and central Kashmir are advised to remain vigilant," said Latief Ahmad Malik, Superintending Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Srinagar circle.
Weather reports said that the rains and snow in April have beaten a 10-year record. "The weather is likely to improve from Friday and the rate at which water level in Jhelum was rising, has also started slowing down," said an official spokesman.
All schools and colleges have been shut till Monday due to the inclement weather and flood-like situation in the valley. Srinagar-Jammu highway was also closed due to landslides and around 10 flights were cancelled on Thursday.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti directed the engineers of Flood Control Department to deploy all their men and machinery for patrolling the banks of rivers and streams at the spots which are prone to breaches.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Waterlogged")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}