GS Sharanya, the 36-year-old techie who lost her way during a trek to the Tadiandamol peak in Karnataka on April 2, has been rescued after a four-day operation across the dense forests of Kodagu in Karnataka.
More than the rescue operation, the story of her four-day-long survival in the wild seems straight out of a Hollywood survival film. Sharanya, who lives in Kerala‘s Kozhikode, has safely been reunited with her family.
The 36-year-old techie narrated her survival story to reporters. Here’s a day-to-day breakdown of her ordeal.
DAY 1: LOST IN THE FOREST
Sharanya got separated from her group, which included 15 others and a nature guide, while descending the Tadiandamol peak.
She had taken a wrong turn while looking for the rest of the group.
With the forest too thick to navigate, she kept walking downhill until around 6:45 pm, hoping to find people. However, she found no one.
She managed to call Yadhu, her office colleague, and asked him to alert others. However, her phone ran out of battery while trying to send a message to a helpline number.
Sharanya decided to stay put for the night near a stream.
DAY 2: THE QUEST TO FIND HELP
Sharanya did not move much in the morning due to pain in her leg following hours of walking.
As the visibility was good, she climbed to a higher point on the hill, hoping drones would be able to spot her.
She survived by drinking water from a nearby stream. She also ensured being in relatively open areas where the search team could locate her easily.
She would also scream from a higher point, expecting some response from the locals.
DAY 3: BATTLING RAIN & COLD
On the third day, she planned to continue walking in search of help.
Despite the threat of wild elephants in the area, she continued walking undeterred. In fact, Sharanya did not encounter any wild animals during her four-day ordeal.
Later that night, heavy rain left her completely soaked and the cold night made it impossible to sleep.
DAY 4: FINALLY RESCUED
On the final day, Sharanya waited until around noon, still wet from the previous night’s rain.
While the stream took care of drinking water, her supplies had run out quickly. It was at this juncture that people from a local tribe came to her rescue.
A member of a local tribe heard her screams from a distance and came to her rescue, ending her ordeal.
BACK HOME BUT UNDETERRED
Back home in Nadapuram on Sunday night, she was received with relief and emotion. Her mother, who had waited through days of uncertainty, broke down as she spoke of an unshaken belief in her daughter’s return.
For Sharanya, the forest was not just a test of survival, but an experience that has strengthened her further. When asked about her next hiking plans, she told reporters, “Maybe next summer.”
– Ends
