Kerala trekker trapped on hill, state calls in Army, Air Force

The Malampuzha resident had trekked up the 1,000-ft Kurumbachi hill Monday along with two friends. While descending from the summit, the exhausted man slipped and fell into a rock niche, where he got trapped. His panic-stricken friends tried to rescue him, in vain.

They returned to Malampuzha and sought the help of the authorities. On Monday night, revenue officials and volunteer members of the District Disaster Management Authority trekked up the steep hill, but could not reach the man — who had sent his location to the rescue team via WhatsApp.

The local authorities resumed rescue operations on Tuesday but Babu remained inaccessible. The topography proved too challenging for a unit from the National Disaster Response Force as well.

Subsequently, the district administration sought the Coast Guard’s help. A Chetak chopper made several sorties in the area, but returned as an airlift plan failed due to poor weather.

A Defence spokesman said two Army Officers, two JCOs and five other ranks from Wellington arrived at the location. The Indian Air Force will transport one more mountaineering team of the Indian Army from Bengaluru and it will join the first team by Wednesday morning. The Coast Guard helicopter will attempt the next sortie in the early hours of Wednesday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a statement that the government has sought help from the Army and the Air Force. “A team of Army commandos from Bengaluru will reach Malampuzha soon to join the rescue operation. Also, Air Force paratroopers from Sulur in Coimbatore will join the mission. Both units are expected to reach Malampuzha on Tuesday night,” Palakkad district collector Mrunmai Joshi said.
Palakkkad legislator Shafi Parambil expressed concern about the health of the trapped youth. “He has been languishing in the rock trap for the last 30 hours without water or food. Till Tuesday noon he had responded to the rescue operators by raising hands. But by evening he has become very weak. It is really sad; the state machinery could not ensure food and water for the youth. We hope he will return safe,” said the Congress MLA.