Search concludes in Kodagu: Missing Malayali techie Saranya rescued from dense forest

BENGALURU: The search for 35-year-old Saranya from Nadapuram, Kozhikode, has finally reached a conclusion following her disappearance during a trek in the Thadiyandamol hills of Kodagu. While authorities have confirmed that Saranya has just been found, the details surrounding her discovery remain limited. Prior to this breakthrough, the operation had reached a fever pitch, with six teams from the forest department and police scouring the dense terrain. The investigation had been bolstered by a significant visual clue—a photograph captured on the trekking route that verified witness accounts of Saranya playing with a dog shortly before she vanished.

The rescue effort had been a gruelling race against time, utilising sniffer dogs and drones to navigate the forest. However, teams faced gruelling conditions as heavy snowfall blanketed the region and visibility plummeted. Safety was a paramount concern throughout the mission, as the search parties had to move with extreme caution due to the high density of wild elephants in the area. This constant threat of wildlife had defined the search parameters from the very beginning.

Saranya’s ordeal began after she travelled from Kochi to Kodagu on April 2. After staying at a homestay in Yevakapadi village, she set out for the Thadiyandamol peak at approximately 8:15 am. Because of the known dangers posed by elephants, forest officials had specifically advised her to stick with a ten-member group for safety. It was later reported that Saranya, despite starting with the party, had begun walking alone and likely veered onto a different path. The alarm was officially raised at 4 pm that afternoon when the rest of the group returned to the check post and realised she was missing, sparking the multi-day search that has only now come to an end.