Chennai: After two days of rescue operations, a youth who got trapped in a steep gorge, nearly 30 m from the clifftop, in Kurumbachi in Malampuzha mountains in Palakkad of Kerala has now been rescued. The rescue operations were carried out by two teams of the Indian Army personnel who reached the spot on the wee hours of Wednesday.
Initially, Kerala state forces started their efforts to rescue the trekker Babu from Malampuzha from a small cavity of the hill at Elichiram on Monday. However, Kerala CM Pinaryi Vijayan later sought the help of the Indian Army to help the youth. Based on the request, two teams of the Indian Army reached for the operation in Palakkad in the wee hours of Wednesday.
The Turn Of Event & 48 Hours
It all started on Monday when Babu along with his three friends started to trek down Kurumbachi hill. However, while he was climbing down Babu got exhausted and he suddenly slipped and fell into the cavity. His friends immediately spotted him and tried to help using sticks and ropes but in vain, reported Manorama.
They all trekked down and sought the help of the police. The police with the help of the Kerala Fire and Rescue department tried to spot him in the night. However, the rescue team was only able to remain in touch with Babu who had his phone in his hand. Babu sent his selfies and of the wound he suffered.
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Yet, the personnel was able to start the rescue operation only the next day.
On Tuesday, as the rescue operation began, the officials tried to airlift him using a helicopter at the request of Palakkad Collector Mrunmayi Joshi. However, the helicopter could not reach closer to Babu since it was a steep slope.
However, Babu remained conscious and had been responding to the rescuers.
Next plan of action
Against this backdrop, the team of Indian Army personnel who are trained in mountain climbing was pressed into service.
According to ANI, the Indian Army said, "Teams of the Indian Army have undertaken a rescue operation to extricate a person stuck in a steep gorge in Malampuzha mountains, Palakkad Kerala. Teams have been mobilised overnight and rescue operations are under progress."
Till now, two Army teams have been moved with 12 personnel from Madras Regiment Centre in Wellington at 1.30 AM on Wednesday and 22 personnel from Parachute Regiment centre in Bengaluru at 4 AM on Wednesday. The team consists of mountain qualified personnel with specialist equipment, said Army sources.
The team members around 10 Am rescued Babu.