Search operations stepped up to trace missing Kerala woman trekker in Kodagu’s Tadiandamol

Search efforts to trace the 36-year-old woman, who went missing during the march to Tandiandamol in Kodagu district on Thursday, April 2, 2026, were intensified on Sunday, April 5, 2026, with the deployment of additional personnel and drone cameras.

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said 40 personnel in four teams along with drone cameras have been deployed to trace G. Sharanya, a woman from Kozhikode, Kerala. This action follows Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s instructions to intensify efforts in searching for the missing trekker.

A total of nine teams are currently involved in search operations, Mr. Khandre said in a statement.

Ms. Sharanya had come from Kerala for trekking and was staying with a homestay in Kakkabbe village. On April 2, he set out for the Tadiandamol hills with a guide and 15 other trekkers and got lost the same afternoon.

“As soon as the information was received, five teams comprising around 50 personnel, including police, anti-Naxal force, dog team and forest personnel, started search operations,” he said.

According to reports, Ms. Sharanya contacted her landlord over phone on Thursday, April 2, informing him that she had lost her way. Mr Khandre stated that the search was made based on the location of his phone.

Local tribal communities also participated in the search carried out with advanced thermal drone cameras.

The statement said Mr. Siddaramaiah expressed his concerns about the missing hiker and directed the authorities to deploy additional personnel. Minister of Forestry said, “Continuous and sincere efforts are continuing to find the missing woman.”

Meanwhile, Kodagu district police chief Bindu Mani RN said that besides regular drones, thermal drones were also used in search operations.

He said two teams of anti-Naxal forces, five teams of the Forest Department from different districts, a dog team of the police department and around 15 local tribals were helping in the search operations.

Citizens were asked to inform the nearest police station if they received information about the missing woman. Ms. Bindu Mani said that the Keralam State control room has also been informed.