Pahalgam Flash Floods Expose Cost of Unchecked Construction Along Lidder
Pahalgam, July 12, KNT: Saturday’s flash floods in Pahalgam have once again exposed the heavy price of unchecked construction and rampant interference with nature, with several hotels, guest houses and private structures built dangerously close to the banks of the Lidder stream bearing the brunt of the deluge.
What unfolded in the famous tourist resort was not merely the consequence of an intense spell of rain or a cloudburst. It also laid bare years of environmental neglect, weak enforcement, and indiscriminate construction that has steadily narrowed the natural course of the stream while increasing the vulnerability of both residents and tourists.
Among the worst-hit properties were The Pahalgam Shore, The Pahalgam Dayz, The Idyll and The Pahalgam Stag, where floodwaters entered rooms, lobbies and other facilities after the overflowing stream spilled into adjoining areas. Several houses, restaurants and commercial establishments also suffered extensive inundation, forcing authorities to evacuate occupants to safer locations.
A visit to the affected areas reveals a disturbing pattern. Numerous hotels and guest houses stand barely a few metres from the Lidder stream, despite environmental norms that require substantial buffer zones to safeguard river ecosystems and minimize flood risks. Environmentalists and local residents allege that many structures have been raised in complete disregard of planning regulations, shrinking the river’s floodplain and leaving little room for the stream to absorb sudden surges in water.
The responsibility, however, does not rest solely with hotel owners. Serious questions are now being raised over the role of the authorities who granted permissions and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for construction in ecologically sensitive zones. Locals while talking to the news agency Kashmir News Trust argue that repeated violations were ignored over the years, allowing commercial interests to override environmental safeguards.
The consequences were evident on Saturday when tourists narrowly escaped harm after floodwaters inundated several hospitality establishments. Had the water level risen further or the flooding occurred during the night, locals believe the outcome could have been catastrophic.
National Conference MLA from Pahalgam, Altaf Ahmad Wani (Kaloo), also acknowledged that extensive interference with nature has aggravated the situation. He warned that continued ecological degradation and unregulated construction could invite a far bigger tragedy if corrective measures are not taken without delay.
Kaloo cautioned against altering the natural course of rivers and streams in the Himalayas, saying such interventions increase the intensity of flash floods and accelerate erosion during extreme weather events. With Jammu and Kashmir witnessing a rise in cloudbursts and high-intensity rainfall, the MLA said strict enforcement of environmental laws has become an urgent necessity rather than a matter of policy choice.
As floodwaters receded and the cleanup began, the larger question confronting the administration was whether the latest disaster would finally prompt a comprehensive review of construction practices along the Lidder stream or become yet another warning ignored until a bigger calamity strikes. [KNT]
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