A 36-year-old technician from Kerala, who went missing during a trek in Karnataka’s Kodagu Hills on April 2, was rescued on Sunday evening, concluding a massive search operation that intensified during the day with additional personnel, drone surveillance and local support.
GS Sharanya is located around 5pm deep in the Patighat reserve forest, near Tadiandamul, the highest peak in the area. Rescuers spotted her near a rock next to the riverbed, where she took refuge to remain visible and keep the water out.
The research focused on the reserve forest, a dense area of forest located on the other side of Tadiandamul Peak, which borders Kerala. The terrain contrasts sharply with the more frequented trekking routes on the other side of the summit. Thick vegetation, persistent fog and intermittent rain have complicated the operation, along with concerns about wildlife in the area.
Here, a group of rescuers spotted her near a rock next to the riverbed, where she took refuge to improve her chances of finding her.
The operation, led by the Karnataka Forest Department and police, gradually expanded into a multi-agency effort involving nine teams. Members of the anti-Naxal force, a dog squad and forest workers combed the terrain alongside local tribal communities familiar with the forest. Additional teams were deployed on Sunday on the instructions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked him to strengthen the search, bringing around 40 additional personnel.
Drone thermal cameras have also been used to survey areas that are difficult to reach on foot.
Sharania, who appeared calm after being found, later described the sequence of events that led to her becoming stranded and said she did not encounter any wild animals and was not afraid.
Sharanya arrived alone from Kerala on Thursday and was staying at a house in Kakapi village, about 10 km from Napoklu. Although she initially planned a solo trip, she changed her plans after being advised not to venture out alone due to wild elephants in the bush. She later joined a guiding group of 15 trekkers to climb to Tadiandamol on Thursday (April 2).
While descending that afternoon, she became separated from the group and lost her way in the dense forest. She is said to have called her friend and landlord to inform them that she had lost her way before her phone battery died. Authorities were alerted shortly after, sparking a coordinated search effort.
Charania said she broke away from the group. “I turned left to look for people, but I got lost because the forest was dense. Till around 6.45 pm, I kept walking down the hill, thinking that I would meet someone eventually, but I didn’t. So I stayed on the hill. I called my friend Yadu and asked him to inform others. While I was trying to send a text message to the helpline number, my phone went off. The next morning, my leg was hurting, so I didn’t walk,” she said.
“On the second day, I climbed to the top of the hill as visibility became better in the area, hoping that a drone would spot me. On the third day, I wanted to walk, but it rained heavily. I was soaked, and it was very cold at night, so I couldn’t sleep. Today (Sunday), I waited until around noon as I was still wet from the rain,” she said.
