CHIKKAMAGALURU: A Class 10 student from Kerala has gone missing in the Chandradrona Hill ranges in Chikkamagaluru district, prompting an intensive multi-agency search operation, officials said on Wednesday.
The incident comes days after a Kerala woman, Sharanya, who went missing in the Tadiandamol hills near Madikeri, was traced safely after four days.
The missing girl, identified as Srinanda from Palakkad, had traveled to Chikkamagaluru with her family as part of a tour group. She went missing near Manikyadhara Falls in Bababudangiri Hills on Tuesday evening.
According to officials, a group of about 40 tourists, including Srinanda’s family, were visiting scenic spots in the hill range. Srinanda got separated from the group around 5.20 pm and disappeared near the falls.
Her family realized she was missing only after climbing about 280 steps away from the site and immediately informed the police and Forest Department personnel.
A 60-member rescue team comprising personnel of the police, Forest Department, Fire and Emergency Services and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched a search operation on Tuesday evening. Teams used drone thermal cameras and continued searching late into the night, but failed to track him down. The operation resumed early Wednesday morning, but so far there has been no progress.
Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Dayama said search teams were combing the hillsides using thermal drones. “Work is on to trace the girl as soon as possible. We are also verifying her mobile phone call records,” he said. Family members and residents of the area are eagerly awaiting her safe return.
