During her hike to Tadiandamol Peak, which stands at 1,748 meters and is the third-highest peak in Karnataka, 36-year-old Sharanya, a software engineer from Kochi, Kerala, found herself lost when she was unable to connect with the forest helpline or a friend due to poor network coverage.
After walking until 6:45 PM, she discovered a stream and decided to take a break. However, a forest official warned that resting near a water source at night posed significant dangers, as wild animals, including elephants and leopards, frequent such areas. Despite the precarious situation, Sharanya maintained her optimism about returning safely.
Unbeknownst to her, a large-scale search initiative was already in progress. Sharanya had arrived in Kodagu for the trek on Thursday and was eventually rescued after three days. “I was aware of the elephants in the forest, but I felt no fear. I was confident in my ability to return and remained calm throughout,” she stated to reporters in Kerala upon her return.
Sharanya had checked into a homestay in Yavakapadi village, located near Napoklu, and had completed the necessary paperwork at the forest department checkpoint before embarking on her trek under the supervision of the Madikeri Forest Division. Forest officials had advised her to join a group of trekkers due to the active movement of elephants in the region.
According to Sharanya, “While descending, I lost my way and attempted to contact the forest helpline and a friend, but there was no signal. I walked until I found a stream to rest.” She described how she spotted a house while climbing and decided to wait there. On Sunday, she called out loudly upon seeing someone, who turned out to be part of the local search team.
Residing in Nadapuram, in the Kozhikode district of Kerala, Sharanya did not inform her parents, Gopi and Shailaja, about her trekking plans, leading to their distress when they learned of her disappearance. “I typically inform my parents only after I arrive at my destination. There aren’t many trekking locations near where I live. I usually video call them either before or after I reach the peak,” she explained.
Upon her safe return, her parents expressed immense relief, while Sharanya reassured them with a smile, stating, “I will definitely trek again.”
Following her disappearance, a coordinated search effort involving nearly 70 individuals, including members of the Anti-Naxal Force, police, forest department staff, and local volunteers, was mobilized. The search team covered approximately 50-60 kilometers, utilizing thermal-imaging drones, mobile phone tracking, sniffer dogs, and reviewing her call data records. They ultimately located her in an isolated area of the forest that is not usually visited.
Abhishek V, Deputy Conservator of Forests for the Madikeri Division, shared with The Indian Express that the search team managed only 4-5 hours of sleep each night until Sharanya was found. “Upon receiving the report of the missing individual on April 2, we conducted an uninterrupted search for nearly 15 hours. Every moment was crucial, as her chances of survival diminished with time. The teams covered at least 15 kilometers daily, resting briefly at nearby watch camps,” he recounted.
Abhishek noted that night-vision thermal drones were deployed until 3 AM to assist in locating her. He remarked that while previous searches for missing individuals had been resolved within 2-3 hours, this incident led to the first extensive operation of its kind. “We are still uncertain how Sharanya lost her way, but we are relieved she has been found,” he added. Another forest officer commented on her fortunate survival, highlighting concerns about potential elephant attacks and the presence of leopards, known for their keen sense of smell. “We are grateful she made it through,” the officer concluded.
(Contributions from Neysa Mary, an intern with The Indian Express)
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