An intensive search and rescue has been initiated for an IT professional from Kerala who has been reported missing during a trek in Karnataka’s Coorg. Saranya, a 36-year-old woman from Kerala’s Kozhikode, went missing while trekking in Thadiyandamol, the highest mountain of Madikeri taluk, Kodagu district, on April 2, according to local media reports.
The police and forest department are carrying out a search with four teams. Besides a dog squad, the search team has also employed a drone to search the forest. While a SIM tracking expert has been deployed, Saranya’s phone has been switched off.
The team is also being assisted by the members of the anti-Naxal force who have worked in the area before. The Kerala government had sought the help of the Karnataka government in the search, and the team hopes to complete the search, which has been conducted in several areas, by Sunday itself. This is reportedly the first time that someone has gone missing while trekking in the area.
According to reports, Saranya arrived at the trek spot on April 1. She had booked online for the trek and arrived solo, but the Forest Department staff did not let her, citing the threat of wild elephants. Following this, she booked a room at a homestay in Yavakapady, 500 meters from the trekking start point, according to Manorama Online.
She then set out for the trek on Thursday morning with a 10-member group that had come for the trek. Saranya was not familiar with the others in the trekking group before. They informed the police that Saranya had separated from the group and was travelling a little behind.
At around 2 pm, the home stay authorities informed the police that they received a message from Saranya, saying that she had lost her way. The Karnataka Forest Department and the police immediately started a search, but to no avail.
The other trekking team members who had gone with Saranya returned in the evening. Deputy Conservator of Forests V. Abhishek said that the location could not be found as the mobile phone was switched off.
According to officials, even if trekkers get lost, they usually manage to find the trekking route in 2-3 hours. The area has multiple homestays and resorts and the trekking route here includes a residential area on one side and the Pattighat Reserve Forest on the other.
