Gangtok, Jun 3: The search operation for tourists missing after a road accident near Munshithang in North Sikkim on May 29 is ongoing despite adverse weather and rising water levels.

A joint search team from the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, led by Joint Director (Adventure) Kazi Sherpa and Deputy Director Manoj Chettri, along with Tourist Officer Anup Subba and Information Assistant Sonam Pintso Bhutia, conducted search efforts near the accident site today. The operation is coordinated with the District Tourism Office Mangan and the IHCAE team.

The search is carried out in collaboration with local administration and police officials, including SDM and SDPO Chungthang, as well as Fire and Emergency Services, Forest Department, TAAS, and other tourism stakeholders. Family members of some missing tourists were present at the site to follow the rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has conducted extensive searches along the riverbed. On June 1 and 2, the NDRF and Tourism Department teams covered nearly 3-4 kilometers downstream in search of the missing tourists.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), led by ASI SAP Dawa Sherpa, has also been searching the river belts of Toong, Ritchu Khola, Chungthang, and further downstream. The search operation remains active as authorities continue efforts to locate the missing individuals.