Two Youths Rescued Safely After 20-Hour Search In Odisha's Forested Hills

Bhubaneswar:Two youths who went missing in the forested Jhanj Hills of western Odisha were rescued safely on Wednesday after an intensive 20-hour multi-agency search operation, officials said.

The youths, identified as Raj Mallik and Ganesh Duduka, both residents of Kansingha village in Bargarh district's Padampur sub-division, had ventured into the Kuthikhol area near Jhanj Hills on Tuesday. They reportedly lost their way while traversing the dense forests and rugged hill terrain, prompting concern after they failed to return home and could not be contacted.

Following a complaint from their family members, the district administration launched a coordinated search operation involving personnel from the forest department, fire and emergency services, and the District Voluntary Force (DVF).

Rescue teams combed dense forests, steep hill slopes and remote stretches through the night before tracing the missing youths at Banubhata village, located near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, on Wednesday after nearly 20 hours of searching.

Officials said both youths were found safe and did not sustain any major injuries. They were brought back to safety after preliminary medical checks at the site.

The successful operation brought relief to their families, who had been anxiously awaiting news since the pair went missing. Local residents also welcomed the rescue, praising the swift response of the administration and emergency teams.

Officials said the incident reflected the risks associated with venturing into remote forest and hill regions without adequate preparation or familiarity with the terrain. The dense vegetation, limited mobile connectivity and difficult topography in parts of the Jhanj Hills can make navigation challenging, particularly during the monsoon season.