On Sunday, four Assamese tourists nearly perished when they plunged into the ice Sela Lake in the Tawng region of Arunachal Pradesh while trying to stroll on its surface.
Itanagar: On Sunday, four Assamese visitors barely escaped calamity when they fell into the cold Sela Lake in the Tawng district of Arunachal Pradesh while trying to walk on its surface.
The incident happened at the picturesque lake, which is 14,000 feet above sea level, when tourists, one of which was a lady, stepped onto the icy surface in spite of the obvious dangers. Thankfully, their friends moved swiftly to rescue them from the freezing water, averting a catastrophe, according to a district senior official.
Around ten in the morning, the tourists stepped onto the lake’s frozen surface, which is when the event happened. All of them are well and there were no recorded casualties, according to Jang additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Hakraso Kri. Such acts have previously been warned against by local authorities.
Tawang Deputy Commissioner Kanki Darang had cautioned tourists against walking on high-altitude frozen lakes, such as Sela Lake, Shongetser Lake, PT Tso Lake, and the lakes surrounding Bumla Pass, in December of last year. These lakes are deeply culturally and spiritually significant to the local population.
It is said that interfering with or contaminating these holy bodies of water can bring bad luck.
In the meantime, the state’s union minister, Kiren Rijiju, has advised visitors to exercise caution when crossing such frozen lakes.
In an X post, Rijiju, the minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, stated, “Enjoy the mountains, but be careful of snow avalanches, icy roads, and ice lakes.”
“In Arunachal Pradesh, at Sela Pass. I would advise visitors to travel cautiously on slick winter roads, watch out for snow avalanches, and walk on the frozen lakes with knowledgeable individuals. Wear warm clothing and have fun because it’s chilly outside. We care about your safety,” he continued.
