On Thursday (July 24, 2025) 17 tourists were saved on the hill. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Seventeen tourists-including 13 feminine will not forget the tormenting 14 hours they spent after they lost their way in a dense forest, fought with heavy rain, dark playground and cold wind at the top of 3,000 feet.
What began as a pilgrimage trek between two worshiped temples in Western Odisha has turned into a night suffering of fear and perseverance before they were finally saved early on Thursday (July 24, 2025).
Around 14:00 on Wednesday (July 23, 2025), a group of 17 tourists from the Jharsugud district in Odisha and the Rarishisgarh district set out on an 18 kilometer trek across a wooded, hilly terrain that connects the twins Nrusinghhat and Harishankar to Gandmardhan Hill in West Odisha.
When the daylight disappeared, they tried to navigate the narrow and often confusing paths of the Gandhamardhan hills and eventually lost their way. Fortunately, despite the uneven mobile connectivity, they managed to remain in contact with the outside world.
Once the local authorities were alerted to the situation, the police staff located nearby was quickly mobilized and a rescue operation was launched.
“It was a long night for 17 tourists. From Wednesday evening to the beginning of Thursday, our teams watched their movements and worked tirelessly through one of the most demanding rescue operations,” said police superintendent Bargarh Prahlad Sahai Meen, who watched the mission directly.
After receiving an emergency call, a dedicated team of district voluntary strength (DVF) was sent to the hill-a 30 commando equipped with food supplies, first aid sets and rescue equipment. They navigated the difficult terrain and reached the stuck groups at 4 in the morning and brought them to safety.
The vulnerability of the rescue team – high -quality police and forest staff – was enhanced by the presence of left wing extremists in the region.
“As we stayed on the phone, our first advice was to stay on the bald stain of the hill so that they could be easily seen,” Mr. Meena recalled. “But the rescue team could not get off because of heavy rain and a slippery path. They had to stop for several hours,” he described.
By adding another layer of difficulty, the stuck group moved about 500 meters from the designated place on Thursday. One of the girls was visually impaired, so it is very difficult to bring it downhill. The stretcher had to be sent for her evacuation.
Night suffering of the group for relentless rain-detailed by two children aged seven and eight years-to-be harrowing. They also faced the imminent threat of wildlife in wooded terrain. Traumatized tourists were not in the mood to talk to the media after their rescue.
Published – July 24, 2025 23:20 is
