National Times Bureau :- A tragic incident was reported from Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district after two tourists from Kerala drowned in the frozen Sela Lake, one of the region’s most popular high-altitude tourist destinations. One body has been recovered, while search operations are continuing to trace the second missing tourist, police officials said.
According to authorities, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon when a group of seven tourists from Kerala was visiting the lake, located at an altitude of over 13,000 feet. During the visit, one member of the group accidentally slipped on the icy surface of the frozen lake and fell into the water.
In an attempt to rescue him, two other tourists jumped into the lake but were unable to withstand the extreme cold and strong undercurrents beneath the ice. While the third tourist managed to come out safely, the other two were swept away by the freezing water.
The deceased has been identified as Dinu, aged 26, while Mahadev, 24, remains missing. Superintendent of Police D.W. Thongon stated that the tourist group had travelled to Tawang via Guwahati and was sightseeing in the area when the mishap took place.
The district administration received information about the incident around 3 pm, following which a joint rescue operation was launched involving the district police, central security forces and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Despite difficult terrain, sub-zero temperatures and poor visibility, rescue teams managed to recover one body from the lake.
However, the search for the second tourist had to be suspended due to darkness and deteriorating weather conditions. Officials confirmed that the rescue operation will resume on Saturday morning with additional manpower and equipment.
The recovered body has been shifted to the Jang Community Health Centre, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted before handing it over to the family.
Police officials said warning signs have already been installed around Sela Lake and nearby tourist spots, clearly advising visitors not to walk on frozen water bodies. The district administration had also issued a public advisory in December cautioning tourists that frozen lakes are extremely unsafe, as the ice layer remains unstable and cannot bear human weight.
Sela Lake, though renowned for its scenic beauty, becomes highly dangerous during winter months due to extreme cold, fragile ice formation and sudden weather changes. Authorities have once again urged tourists to strictly follow safety guidelines while visiting high-altitude areas to avoid such tragic incidents.
