Overview

• Heavy rains and darkness caused 17 pilgrims on a trek between the Nrusinghnath and Harishankar temples to lose their way on the Gandhamardan Hills.
• Odisha Police’s District Voluntary Force led a 40-member multi-agency operation, supported by forest and fire personnel, to mount the overnight rescue.
• Rescuers relied on mobile phone and GPS tracking to pinpoint the group in the remote, Naxal-affected forest terrain.
• Teams paused during intense rainfall and landslide threats while using stretchers and specialized gear to assist a visually impaired trekker and two children.
• All 17 pilgrims were safely escorted to the Nrusinghnath base camp for medical checks with only minor treatments administered.