Bengaluru, 5 April

A 36-year-old woman from Kerala, who went missing while trekking in the Tadiandamol hills of Kodagu district four days ago, has been found safe, the office of Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre confirmed on Sunday. She is currently being brought back.

GS Sharanya had travelled alone from Kerala and was staying at a private homestay in Kakkabe village. On 2 April, she set out for the high mountain range with a guide and 15 other trekkers but went missing that afternoon. She last contacted the homestay by phone, reporting that she had lost her way.

Following her disappearance, five search teams comprising 50 personnel, including police, the anti-Naxal squad, a dog squad and forest staff, were immediately deployed. Later, four additional teams of 40 personnel were added, bringing the total to nine teams. Sophisticated thermal drones were also used, and local tribal residents assisted in the search.

Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah instructed authorities to intensify the operation. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had written to Siddaramaiah, urging urgent personal intervention and requesting that the search teams’ strength be augmented to ensure Sharanya’s safe return.

Minister Khandre said, “We searched based on her last phone location. Additional personnel and drone cameras have been deployed, and local people have been helping in the effort.”

Sharanya, an IT professional, will be safely reunited with her family once she returns from the trek.