MIPI, AUG 22:

A major joint search and rescue operation continues in Mipi Circle of Dibang Valley district following the catastrophic cloudburst and flash flood of August 14 that swept away two shelters at an Army camp in the Pasu Pani area and left five Army personnel missing.

Seven Army personnel were caught in the sudden floodwaters, of whom two were rescued and evacuated for medical care, while five remain untraced. The incident and subsequent search operations have been reported by officials and multiple media outlets.

Specialised teams of the Indian Army, assisted by the district administration and other agencies, are continuing the search under extremely difficult terrain and weather conditions. Search teams have expanded operations across a wide and treacherous area, using both machinery and manual methods to clear heavy debris around the affected site.

According to the latest operational update, Army teams have searched an extensive 60-km stretch of the river from the incident site towards Etalin, deploying specialised assets to access otherwise difficult areas along the river.

The search is being supported by Army helicopters, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), drones, Army divers, trained sniffer dogs and Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), besides ground-based search teams.

Earlier reports had also confirmed the involvement of the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), civil administration, police and other agencies in the continuing operation amid extremely challenging terrain and weather conditions.

The authorities are continuing efforts to locate the five missing personnel, with search operations being maintained across the affected area and downstream stretches.

Further updates will be issued as the operation progresses. (Source: DIPR)