New Delhi: A woman tourist from Kerala has gone missing in the Tadiandamol hills of Karnataka’s Kodagu district, prompting an intensive search operation involving drones and forest personnel.
GS Sharanya, a 36-year-old IT professional, had travelled alone and was staying at a private homestay in Kakkabe village, according to PTI. She went missing earlier this week during a trek in the forested region.
Search operation intensified
Authorities have launched a major search effort to trace Sharanya. Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said additional teams and drones have been deployed to scan the dense forest area.
He also said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken note of the situation and directed officials to intensify the search operations. The terrain in the Tadiandamol hills is known to be difficult, which has made the operation challenging.
Kerala CM seeks intervention
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah, seeking urgent action in the matter.
In his letter, Vijayan said Sharanya has been missing since Thursday, April 2, and conveyed the Kerala government’s concern. “It is understood that a search is being conducted to trace her. I request your kind personal intervention in the matter,” he said.
He added, “Directions may be issued to augment the strength of the search teams so that Saranya is traced at the earliest and brought home safely (sic).”
Events leading to disappearance
According to reports, Sharanya had sought permission from forest authorities to trek alone in the Tadiandamol hills. Officials advised against it due to the presence of wild elephants and asked her to join a group.
She reportedly joined other trekkers. However, when the group returned to the foothills in the evening, Sharanya was found missing. This led to the alert and the launch of search operations.
Authorities continue efforts to locate her as concerns grow over her safety in the forest area.