A desperate hunt for 22-year-old Saketh Sreenivasaiah, an Indian masters student from Karnataka studying chemical and biomolecular engineering at UC Berkeley, has stretched into its fourth day as of Saturday. Last seen Tuesday near campus, the young scholars sudden disappearance has gripped his family, friends, and the Indian diaspora in the Bay Area.

Rescuers zeroed in on Tilden Regional Park after finding Sakeths backpack—stuffed with his passport, laptop, and other essentials—near a local home by Lake Anza. Teams are now combing the steep Berkeley Hills trails and dense wooded areas, battling rough terrain that could hide vital clues. Volunteers, classmates, and online communities have flooded social media with flyers, turning this into a grassroots effort amid no evidence of foul play so far.

Berkeley Police Department is spearheading operations with high-tech drones, K-9 search dogs, and ground patrols, pleading for public tips via their hotline. The Indian Consulate in San Francisco has rallied swiftly, expressing profound concern and coordinating directly with Sakeths roommate—who raised the alarm—and U.S. authorities. Were deeply worried and working around the clock, a consulate statement noted, underscoring their hands-on support.

This case hits close to home for Indian students abroad, reminiscent of 23-year-old Nitheesha Kandulas week-long vanishing in Los Angeles last year, where she was thankfully located safe after a similar park scare. Experts urge precautions like real-time location sharing on hikes, group outings in unfamiliar spots, and quick alerts to campus safety—steps that could avert tragedy for the 300,000+ Indians pursuing U.S. degrees annually. Authorities remain hopeful but cautious as weather holds steady. Anyone with sightings or info on Saketh—described as 510, slim build, wearing dark clothing—is urged to contact Berkeley PD immediately. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this agonizing wait. Updates to follow.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.