Itanagar: Six individuals stranded on an island in the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district were rescued on Wednesday, police reported.
The group had ventured to the island using a country boat to collect stink bugs, a seasonal delicacy in the region, but was unable to return due to sudden inclement weather.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Ayup Boko explained that the heavy rain and deteriorating conditions left them marooned.
The Mebo police station was alerted about the situation around 8:30 pm on Tuesday.
Acting swiftly, authorities mobilised a rescue team comprising personnel from the police department and the state’s disaster response force.
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The team reached the site around 10:30 pm, but darkness and persistent heavy rain made it too dangerous to proceed with the rescue.
The operation was postponed until first light.
At dawn on Wednesday, the rescue effort resumed, and the stranded individuals were safely evacuated from the island.
They were identified as Opang Tamuk (41), Punchung Rai (19), Rajen Narzari (19), Sompa Marpeche (19), Santosh Chetry (21), and Vijay Tamang (17).
“The quick response by the rescue team ensured the safety of the individuals despite the challenging weather conditions,” DSP Boko said.
Such incidents underscore the unpredictable nature of the Siang River, especially during adverse weather, and serve as a reminder of the risks involved in venturing into remote and potentially hazardous areas.
