NDRF Recovers Body of Arunachal Man Who Died Trying to Save Brother in River
In a tragic incident in Arunachal Pradesh, the body of a young man who lost his life while attempting to rescue his brother from a river has been recovered by disaster response teams. The recovery operation concluded on Saturday, bringing a somber end to the search efforts.
Details of the Tragic Incident
According to official reports, the 12th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in coordination with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), retrieved the body of Laichat Wangpan, aged 25, from the Tissa river. The recovery took place near Otongkhao village in Tirap district, highlighting the remote and challenging terrain of the region.
The unfortunate sequence of events began on Wednesday when Laichat and his brother, Wangthoa, from Chasa village, were returning home. They were crossing the Tissa river using a country-made boat. During the crossing, Wangthoa slipped from the boat and fell into the river. In a brave but fatal attempt, Laichat immediately jumped into the water to save his brother.
Strong Currents Lead to Tragedy
Both brothers were swept away by the strong currents of the river, which proved too powerful to overcome. The swift flow of the Tissa river, common in this hilly area, contributed to the difficulty of the rescue and recovery operations.
Wangthoa's body was recovered on Thursday, a day after the incident, bringing initial closure to part of the tragedy. However, the search for Laichat continued until Saturday, when his body was finally located and retrieved by the NDRF and SDRF teams. The efforts involved meticulous scanning of the river area, demonstrating the dedication of the disaster response personnel.
Background of the Group's Journey
The two brothers were part of a group of five individuals who had reportedly traveled to Chopnu village to purchase meat. They were returning with two cattle when the accident occurred. The other three members of the group had successfully crossed the river safely, avoiding the fate that befell Laichat and Wangthoa.
This incident underscores the risks associated with river crossings in rural and remote parts of Arunachal Pradesh, where infrastructure such as bridges may be limited. It also highlights the heroic but often dangerous acts of individuals in emergency situations.
The recovery operation by the NDRF and SDRF teams serves as a reminder of the critical role these forces play in responding to disasters and accidents in challenging environments. Their swift action in this case helped bring closure to the grieving family, though the loss remains profound.
