A 36-year-old IT professional from Kerala, Sharanya, who went missing during a trek to Tadiandamol Peak in Karnataka’s Kodagu district, has been safely rescued after surviving alone in the forest for four days.
Sharanya had set out on April 2 with a group of trekkers and a guide, but lost her way while descending. When the group returned to base camp, she was missing, triggering an immediate large-scale search operation.
During her time in the forest, she had minimal supplies—a small water bottle and a phone that soon lost charge. Despite being in a dense forest known for wildlife and facing heavy rain, she continued moving in search of help. She later explained that she deliberately stayed in open areas, anticipating that rescue teams would use drones to locate her.
The rescue operation involved multiple agencies, including forest officials, police, and special units, along with local tribal communities. Thermal drones were also deployed to aid the search. The breakthrough came when members of the Kuda tribal community, familiar with the terrain, located her in a remote clearing after noticing unusual sounds.
According to Eshwar Khandre, Sharanya was found in stable condition and described as courageous for enduring the ordeal. The operation had been intensified following intervention from Siddaramaiah after concerns were raised by Kerala authorities.
Sharanya later shared that she never felt overwhelmed by fear during the experience and remained confident that she would be rescued. After returning home, she was welcomed with relief and emotion by her family, particularly her mother, who had remained hopeful throughout.
The incident highlights both the risks associated with trekking in dense forest regions and the effectiveness of coordinated rescue efforts involving technology and local expertise.
