A 55-year-old woman lost in a dense forest was traced by the police and Forest Department officials using a drone. Nagadasari Ratnamma, a resident of Harijanawada in Obulayapalle village, Rapur mandal, SPSR Nellore district, was found near the Mamidikona base camp on Tuesday (August 11, 2026).

According to the police, she went into the forest to collect firewood on Monday morning around 11 a.m. While returning with the firewood, she lost her way and was stranded, unable to find the path back to the village. She had gone about eight kilometres into the forest, and spent the night under a tree.

Family members and residents searched for her through the night after she failed to return home, but no trace of her was found. They complained to the police the next morning. Rapur SI Tirumala Rao coordinated a special search involving a drone team, the Mamidikona base camp, the Special Branch police and Forest Department officials.

Using the drone alongside information gathered from residents, the search was conducted in the forest. Ratnamma was located on Tuesday morning around 11.30 a.m. and brought out safely. She was taken to the Rapur government hospital for medical examination, after which she was handed over to her husband.

District SP Ajitha Vejendla commended the Rapur police station staff for their prompt response and coordinated efforts, which found the woman in about three hours. Ratnamma’s family and villagers thanked the police and Forest Department personnel for the response.

Published - August 12, 2026 11:53 am IST