Search at Thadiyandamol enters its third day today; Police question four accompanying trekkers
Madikeri: The search for 36-year-old Sharanya from Kochi, Kerala, who went missing during a trek to Thadiyandamol mountain in Kodagu, entered its third day today, with Police, Forest officials and more than 50 local villagers combing the dense forest terrain.
Sharanya’s brother Shyam has set up camp at the foothills, hoping & praying for her safe return, while her father Gopi has expressed confidence that rescue teams will locate her soon. Meanwhile, the Police have questioned four trekkers from Bagalkot who had accompanied Sharanya during the expedition.
According to sources, at around 8.30 am on Thursday, Forest staff reportedly asked the four trekkers to allow Sharanya to join them as it was considered unsafe for her to trek alone. While the group returned later that evening, Sharanya was reported missing.
Following her disappearance, the Police questioned the four trekkers and directed them to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. Written undertakings have also been obtained from them, asking them to appear whenever required for questioning.
Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna has alerted senior Police officials, including State Director General and Inspector General of Police Dr. M.A. Saleem and Kodagu Superintendent of Police R.N. Bindu Mani, urging them to expedite the search operation.
Techie from Kochi
Sharanya, originally from Nadapuram in Kozhikode district, works in the IT sector in Kochi. Described as an environmental enthusiast and an experienced trekker, she had reportedly not informed her family about her trip to Kodagu.
Search operations are being coordinated by teams from the Forest Department under the leadership of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Abhishek. Drones equipped with thermal scanners have also been deployed, but heavy mist and the rugged valleys have so far hampered efforts to trace her.
Three Forest squads, comprising 18 personnel, have been searching the Mundrotu forest stretch adjoining Thadiyandamol that connects Kerala.
Taking the case seriously, Kodagu Police have also deployed Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) personnel from Kutta and Virajpet, who are familiar with the challenging border terrain, to assist in the search operation.
Meanwhile, members of the Kudiya tribal community from Yavakapadi village in Kakkabbe offered special prayers to their deities, seeking Sharanya’s safe return and protection for villagers participating in the search from wild animals.
Although Thadiyandamol is generally considered a relatively safe trekking destination, Sharanya’s disappearance has raised concern as the search enters its third day.
This post was published on April 5, 2026 6:41 pm