Arunachal: Eight elderly tourists rescued in Tawang after snowfall traps their vehicle

Guwahati: A group of elderly tourists were rescued in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district after heavy snowfall left their vehicle stuck, officials said on Tuesday.

The sudden drop in temperature brought the season’s first snowfall on Monday to Tawang, West Kameng, Shi-Yomi and parts of Upper Subansiri, making several mountain roads slippery.

According to officials, the eight tourists, all over 60 years old, were travelling to Bomdila in West Kameng when their vehicle became stranded on a snow-covered stretch of the Old Sela route, an area known for quick weather changes.

As visibility worsened and the cold intensified, the group alerted authorities, following which the Army’s Gajraj Corps launched a rescue operation.

A team reached the spot despite ongoing snowfall, checked the tourists’ health, provided warmth and medical assistance, and then escorted them out of the affected area.

All eight resumed their journey to Bomdila after being safely evacuated, officials confirmed.

With more snow forecast, authorities have urged travellers to exercise caution and monitor weather conditions before using mountain routes.