Rescue teams on Saturday morning recovered the body of the second Kerala tourist who drowned in the frozen Sela Lake in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district. The incident has renewed concerns over winter safety at high-altitude tourist destinations in the state.
Joint Search Operation Resumes at Daybreak
Authorities resumed the search operation at around 8 a.m. after suspending it the previous evening due to poor visibility and harsh weather conditions. A joint team comprising the Indian Army, SDRF Bomdila, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and district police carried out the operation.
SDRF Bomdila and Army divers located the body at approximately 10:10 a.m. Officials said they followed standard rescue protocols while navigating the icy waters and low temperatures.
Post-Mortem Formalities Underway
Officials have sent both bodies for post-mortem examinations as per procedure. After completion of the formalities, authorities will hand over the bodies to the victims’ relatives.
Local officials said they are coordinating with the state administration and the families to ensure smooth arrangements for the return of the bodies.
Victims Part of Kerala Tourist Group
The deceased have been identified as Dinu (26) and Mahadev (24), both residents of Kerala. They were part of a seven-member tourist group that had travelled to Tawang via Guwahati.
According to officials, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon when one member of the group accidentally slipped into the frozen lake. Dinu and Mahadev immediately entered the lake in an attempt to rescue him. However, both became trapped under the ice due to the slippery surface and freezing conditions.
The first tourist managed to escape without injury.
Hazards of Frozen High-Altitude Lakes
Sela Lake lies at an altitude of over 13,000 feet and remains frozen during winter months. Although the site attracts a large number of tourists, officials warned that frozen lakes pose serious risks due to thin ice layers and sudden cracks.
Authorities said even experienced swimmers can face danger in such conditions because of low oxygen levels, freezing temperatures, and reduced mobility under ice.
Authorities Reiterate Safety Advisory
Following the incident, officials once again urged tourists to strictly follow safety guidelines while visiting high-altitude areas during winter. Warning signboards have been installed around Sela Lake to discourage visitors from walking on frozen waterbodies.
Authorities also reminded tourists that a safety advisory issued in December had clearly cautioned against venturing onto frozen lakes and rivers in the region.
“We request visitors to respect advisories and avoid risky behaviour,” an official said. “Such areas may look safe but can turn fatal within seconds.”
Call for Responsible Tourism
The incident has highlighted the need for greater awareness among tourists about mountain and winter hazards. Officials stressed that visitors should rely on local guidance, follow weather updates, and avoid venturing beyond designated safe zones.
As investigations continue, the administration said it may review additional safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Sela Lake remains one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most scenic attractions. However, authorities emphasised that during winter, natural beauty must be approached with caution to ensure visitor safety.
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