Shillong, June 5, 2025, Virthli: The search for missing tourist Sonam Raghuvanshi entered its 14th day on Thursday, with clear weather finally allowing rescue teams to carry out a full-day operation in and around the Wei Sawdong gorge. Despite sustained efforts on foot and by drone, no trace of Sonam or her belongings was found.
This marked the first full day of uninterrupted search operations since heavy rainfall and thick fog began hindering rescue work on May 28. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Sohra Civil Sub-Division police scoured the gorge area where Sonam’s husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was found dead on June 2.
Sonam’s brother, Govind Raghuvanshi, and local tourism officials were present at the Wei Sawdong base camp as the search continued throughout the day. However, no visual or scent-based clues were detected by the teams, prompting a pause in operations at nightfall. Authorities said the search would resume Friday, though the lack of new leads has left the next course of action unclear.
Since the search began, teams have covered steep, forested terrain in Nongriat, Mawsahew, Wahkaliar, and Wei Sawdong, assisted by the Special Operations Team (SOT), drone specialists from NESAC, and local volunteers.
The only major breakthrough came on June 2, when a drone identified Raja’s decomposed body at the base of the gorge near the Wei Sawdong Parking Lot in Riat Arliang. His body was recovered under difficult conditions and formally identified during a magisterial inquest led by Executive Magistrate Adiel R. Kyntan.
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The couple had last been seen on May 23, checking out of a homestay in Nongriat during their honeymoon. Their rented scooter was discovered abandoned near Sohrarim on May 24, sparking the large-scale search effort.
With Sonam still missing, rescue agencies are racing against time, hoping for another weather window -and a possible breakthrough.
