Trekker missing on Goechala trail in West Sikkim; search efforts continue in harsh weather

A 39-year-old trekker, Sandeep Roy, from Kadamtala, Ranidunga, has gone missing while on a trek to Goechala, a high-altitude trekking destination in West Sikkim. He was reported missing on April 21, and search operations have been going on since then.

Roy was part of a group of eight trekkers who had started their journey from Yuksom, which is the base point for the Goechala trek. The group had been making their way up the trail, which is known to be both beautiful and challenging. According to police officials and initial statements from other trekkers in the group, Roy was walking at the back of the group when he was last seen near Thangsing, a common resting point along the route.

After noticing his absence, the group informed the local authorities, and a search operation was launched immediately. Teams consisting of police personnel, local volunteers, and residents from nearby villages have been working together to comb the thick forests and steep mountain trails where Roy was last seen.

The terrain in this area is known to be rough, with narrow paths and thick vegetation. Weather conditions have also added to the difficulty of the search. In higher altitudes like Goechala, sudden changes in weather, including snowfall and fog, are common and can make visibility very poor. Search teams are facing not only steep slopes but also cold winds and unpredictable weather, which is slowing down the process.

Yuksom, the gateway to the Goechala trek, is currently on high alert. The remaining seven trekkers in the group are expected to return to Yuksom by this evening. Authorities are planning to question them further to gather more details that could help in narrowing down Roy’s last known location.

Family members of the missing trekker have also been informed and are reportedly on their way to Yuksom. The local administration is providing full support and has promised that the search will continue until there is some breakthrough.

People in the nearby villages have also joined the efforts voluntarily. Many of them are familiar with the landscape and are helping by guiding the search teams to possible paths and caves where a person might take shelter. Drones and sniffer dogs are also being considered to assist in the operation, though reaching remote areas remains a challenge.