Srinagar, Jul 12 : A cloudburst in the Pahalgam area of south Kashmir triggered flash floods on Saturday, inundating several hotels and houses, but timely rescue operations by local hotel staff and residents ensured that all tourists, including a large number of pilgrims and vacationers, were safely evacuated.
The sudden spell of intense rainfall, possibly caused by a cloudburst, struck the forest areas of Awoora and Dehwathu in Anantnag district around 3 pm, officials said. The overflowing Nala Overa stream submerged at least half a dozen hotels and several residential houses, prompting authorities to launch immediate rescue operations.
However, it was the local hotel staff and residents who emerged as the first responders, breaking walls and windows to evacuate tourists to safer locations even as water levels rose rapidly.
Speaking to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) Ritu Sharma, a tourist from Nagpur, said her group of 12 people was on the last day of their Kashmir tour when the cloudburst struck.
“We are all safe and fine because of the hotel management. They did not care for their own lives. They broke walls and windows to evacuate us. They even carried tourists aged 60 to 65 on their shoulders through the slush,” she said.
She described the staff as “angels” and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to compensate them for their bravery.
“They proved that we are all brothers, regardless of religion—whether Hindu or Muslim, we are all one. These people are pure at heart. I appeal to my Hindu community respect the people of Kashmir. Do not spread hatred against them. Humanity is alive in them,” she added.
“We came here for the beauty of Kashmir, but we are leaving with the love of its people,” Sharma added.
Mohammad Shafi, manager of one of the affected hotels, told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the safety of guests was their top priority.
“We had over 40 guests, mostly Hindu families. When the water entered the ground floor, we knew we had minutes to act. We broke the back wall to create an escape route because the main exit was blocked. We lost our own belongings, but every guest is safe. That is what matters,” he said.
Another staff member, 19-year-old Aamir Bhat, who carried an elderly woman to safety, said “She was crying and calling out to God. I just held her hand and walked through the water. We don’t see religion when lives are at stake. They were our guests, but today they are our family.”
Vikram Joshi, another tourist from Gujarat, said the locals put themselves at great risk.
“I have served in difficult areas, but I have never seen such selflessness. These boys lost their own houses—some of their families were also affected—yet they spent hours rescuing us. They did not even stop to check on their own homes,” Joshi said.
Another tourist, Sarita Anand from Pune, said a young staff member broke a window with his bare hands to pull her out of her room.
“He told me, ‘Maa, aap meri maa ho.’ I will never forget those words. If not for him, I would not be alive today,” she said.
A district officer told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) that all tourists have been relocated to safer accommodations and no casualties have been reported.
“The local residents and hotel staff acted swiftly, which prevented any loss of life. Our teams reached the spot immediately and assisted in the evacuation. Damage assessment is underway,” he said.
Authorities said the water level has now receded and restoration work is in progress.
Meanwhile, tourists who were rescued continued to express their gratitude, with many emphasising that the hospitality and bravery shown by Kashmiris had changed their perception of the Valley. (KNS)
