Itanagar, Sept 6: The East Kameng district administration of Arunachal Pradesh is using satellite imagery to trace Tapi Mra, the first mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh to conquer Mount Everest, and his associate Niku Dao, who had gone to climb the state’s highest peak and remained untraceable for the past 20 days on Monday.

East Kameng district’s Deputy Commissioner Pravimal Abhishek Polumatla on Monday said that they are trying to study the satellite imageries of National Remote Sensing Centre and Shillong based North East Space Applications Centre, but are yet to get any clue of these mountaineers.

The district administration has been continuously apprising the search details to the family members of Mra and Dao.

The DC said that Tapi Mra has taken up an expedition to Mt. Kyarisatam (Mt. Chiumo) which is located at the India-Tibet border at an altitude of 6890 meters.

Mra and Dao have been untraceable since August 17 as reported by the remaining six members of the expedition who reached Seppa from their expedition base camp on August 29 evening.

Polumatla said that persistent rain for the past few days has led to swelling of all rivers – including Kameng, Kania and Wapriyang Bung.

Four Army helicopters remain on standby to undertake an aerial search once the weather clears to trace Tapi Mra and his associate.

The state government has also sought help from Indian Army’s Tezpur-headquartered Gajraj Corps in the search and rescue mission.

Mra, 37, had climbed the highest peak of the world on May 21, 2009.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu prayed for the safety of the missing mountaineers and said that the State’s Sports Department is ready with plans to trace them.