BENGALURU: The intensive search operation for 15-year-old Sreenanda, a native of Palakkad who went missing in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, has entered its fourth day. Sreenanda, a Class 10 student, disappeared near the Manikyadhara waterfalls in the Bababudangiri Hills on Tuesday evening. Despite over 60 hours of continuous searching by a 100-member special task force, no concrete leads have been found regarding her whereabouts.
The family, who initially feared she might have slipped into the valley, now suspects she may have been abducted. This suspicion stems from the fact that extensive scans of the steep cliffs and valleys using thermal drones have yielded no results. Sreenanda was part of a 40-member tour group from Kadambazhipuram, Palakkad. According to family members, she was seen taking photographs with other children just before the group started their descent, and it was only within a 10-minute window that she became untraceable.
The search team, comprising personnel from the police, forest, and fire departments, is currently navigating difficult terrain and dense mist to scan the interior forest areas. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage from nearby police check posts and examining call records as part of the investigation. While the challenging weather conditions are hindering the operation, the recent successful rescue of another trekker from Kerala in Kodagu provides a glimmer of hope to the family, who remains in Chikkamagaluru awaiting news.
With input from KN.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com