Missing Kerala trekker found after 4 days, tells tale of survival in thick forests of Western Ghats

Sources from Madikeri said Sharanya had taken refuge in an abandoned bungalow. While additional details were not available, the office of Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre confirmed that she has been found.

Bengaluru: Hours after the state government launched an intense search operation, a team of indigenous persons rescued a woman tourist who had gone missing for four days in the thick forests of Tadiandamol in Kodagu district.

The state government on Sunday deployed about 40 personnel along with a drone camera to search for G S Sharanya (36) who had travelled alone from Kerala's Kozhikode and arrived at a homestay in Kakkabbe, a village about 10 km from Napoklu.

Sharanya, who went missing after leaving for Tadiandamol on Thursday (April 2), was found in the afternoon by a rescue team comprising members of the Kudiya community. Videos on social media showed a smiling Sharanya walking with her rescuers. 

Speaking to media persons, she thanked the rescuers as she described her harrowing experience where things took a turn for the worse after she lost her way. "I was continuing to climb down and went quite far away. Suddenly, my mobile network was gone. The forest had become dense. I tried to contact an office friend. I typed a message saying 'I lost my path'. I tried to call the forest department's helpline. My mobile had no battery and got switched off," she said.

To a question, Sharanya said she had not carried food as she had thought it was a 'short trek'. While initial reports said she was rescued from an abandoned bungalow, Sharanya said she stayed on a rocky outcrop near a stream. The nights were cold and the situation got worse after a heavy rain.

"On the first day, I didn't walk because my legs were hurting. On the second day, I decided to stay on the rocky outcrop as I hoped that the visibility of the area would help a drone to track me. On the third day, I started walking up but the heavy rain foiled the plan. It was all wet and freezing cold," she said.

On Sunday afternoon, she started walking upward. She survived on water collected in the stream. "Occasionally, I would scream for help. Finally, I heard someone responding. They (the rescuers) reached me in a short time," she said, but added that she was not afraid: "I didn't feel afraid. I don't know why."

Tadiandamol is the highest peak in Kodagu district and is a sought-after trekking point. Due to its proximity to Kerala, it attracts a huge number of trekkers from the neighbouring state.

The rescuers noted that it was an area frequented by elephants and people do not venture into these forests.

'Trekkers need to be careful'

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said the measures to deploy additional personnel and drone with thermal camera were taken following directions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Personnel from police, anti-Naxal force, dog squad as well as staffers from the forest department were pressed into mission.

"We had searched in the night too. Nine teams had combed the area today. She is in good health and I have directed the officials to ensure she reaches home safely. I advise people to take precautions while going on treks," he added.