Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday (April 6, 2026) thanked all the officials and members of the tribal community who had scoured the forest in Kodagu, Karnataka, for a 36-year-old trekker from Kozhikode who had gone missing on April 2. G.S. Sharanya, the trekker was eventually found on Sunday.

“She seems to be a very strong lady,” said Mr. Shivakumar, who was in Thiruvananthapuram for the election campaign of the Congress party.

A big team of more than 170 people, including forest officials and tribals, had worked together as part of the search-and-rescue mission, he said. “They saw Sharanya lying on a rock. On one day, there was a big rain. There was no water or food for her. Still, she was breathing well. She seems to be a very strong lady,” he said.

Ms. Sharanya’s mother, Shailaja, had met Mr. Shivakumar on Sunday seeking his assistance for tracing her daughter. Mr. Shivakumar said he had immediately contacted the Kodagu SP and DFO. “Ultimately, Ms. Sharanya’s stamina and will prevailed,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

Ms. Sharanya was found about 6 km from the Tadiandamol peak by a team comprising members of the Kudiya tribe and Karnataka Forest department personnel.