SEPPA, Aug 3: A 9-member mountaineer’s expert team, along with 25 porters, is gearing up for the third search and rescue (S&R) operation to find the missing everester Tapi Mra and his companion Niku Dao. The duo went missing on August 17, 2022, while on their expedition to explore Mount Kyarisatam.
In a recent meeting held by the Tagin Cultural Society (TCS), led by Secretary General Tuter Dulom, with the S&R team leader Tagit Sorang and his team members, it was decided to resume the search operation. The decision to resume the operation came after discussions with all the members of the TCS.
The team is scheduled to depart for Veo, the last motorable village, on August 5 next. They aim to reach the base camp of Mount Kyarisatam by August 12. Subsequently, the team plans to halt until August 18 due to forecasted rainfall as per the IMD weather report, added Dulom.
He further added that, the S&R team will be equipped with essential mountaineering gear, including an ISAT Phone and other equipment from the Directorate of Disaster Management and DMO Kurung Kumey. Metal detectors and other necessary mountaineering components will also be utilized during the operation.
The closed-door meeting was attended by Tuter Dulom, Tagit Sorang, Yatok Mra Nilo (sister of the missing everester), SP East Kameng Kamdam Sikom, Circle Officer (Sawa) Yomgam Marde, Principal (In-Charge) Govt. College-Seppa Robin Hisang, Assistant Professor Tara Dagiam, and 8 other members of the search team.
Scientist Timothy Dulom and Tagung Hayi will remain in Seppa with materials until August 12, 2023, awaiting helicopter support, after which they will join the rest of the team at the base camp, if weather permits. The team also conducted a rehearsal for drones,added Dulom.
Stating that, he added the Scientist Timothy Dulom from Arunachal Pradesh Space Application Cell (APSAC) will take charge as the technical in-charge of the operation.
The S&R team consists of Tame Bagang (In-charge of porters & ration), an international expert from Nepal, everester Gelje Sherpa (In-charge of metal detector), everester Furi Sherpa (Coordinator of metal detector), mountaineer Taru Hai (In-charge of equipment), mountaineer Tana Lui Tamin (In-charge of utensil items), mountaineer Nangchung Rava (In-charge of First-Aid), a Taman Mra family member (In-charge of Camera), and a family member of Niku Dao Dodum Nampe.
Tapi Mra, the first Arunachalee to conquer Mount Everest, and Niku Dao went missing during their official mission to explore Mount Kyarisatam in East Kameng district. Despite two previous attempts by the S&R team, supported by the state government and the East Kameng district administration, the duo remained unlocated due to various challenges and issues.
The forthcoming operation marks another effort to find the missing mountaineers and bring them back safely, providing hope to their families and the community, stated a release.
