Seventeen tourists trekking through the Gandhamardan Hills near Harishankar were left stranded on Wednesday evening after losing their way amid torrential rainfall and failing light.
The group had set out from the Harishankar foothills with plans to reach the Nrusinghanath Temple, located on the opposite side of the range. However, they reportedly lost direction near the Kapildhara waterfall, around 1.5 km off the main trail, as the terrain became slippery and visibility poor due to sudden rainfall.
Local authorities used mobile tracking to determine the group’s approximate location. A rescue operation was immediately launched involving personnel from the Odisha Police, Fire Services, and local temple staff. However, the mission faced serious hurdles due to dense forest cover, continuous downpour, and frequent lightning in the area.
Rescue efforts resumed late at night once the rain eased. As of the latest update, the stranded tourists were yet to be evacuated.
Authorities have urged caution for trekkers, particularly during the monsoon season, and have advised visitors to use designated trails and register treks in advance with local administration.
