Madikeri, April 3 -- A woman tourist from Kerala went missing while trekking in the Thadiyandamol hill ranges yesterday, triggering a search operation by the Forest Department and the Police.

The missing tourist has been identified as Sharanya (36). She had checked into a homestay at Yavakapadi village after booking her stay online and had set out alone to trek to Thadiyandamol.

As wild elephants are known to roam the area, she was advised to join a group of trekkers for safety and was sent along with other tourists heading to the peak.

However, while the rest of the trekkers returned safely, Sharanya did not. Concerned residents alerted the Forest Department, which in turn informed the Police.

Forest officials, Police personnel and l...