Wayanad Landslides: Kerala Officials Climb Hill For Eight Hours To Rescue Stranded Tribal Family

Kerala forest officials undertook a daring eight-hour operation to rescue four toddlers and their parents belonging to a tribal community stranded in a cave atop a hill in the aftermath of the Wayanad landslides. The landslides, which occurred on July 30, have claimed the lives of 308 people and left hundreds more injured.

A four-member team led by Kalpetta range forest officer K Hashis rescued the tribal family which included four kids aged between one and four amid heavy rain and rocky terrain. Their heroic feat earned praise from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

“Six precious lives were saved from a remote tribal settlement after a tireless 8-hour operation by our courageous forest officials in landslide-hit Wayanad. Their heroism reminds us that Kerala’s resilience shines brightest in the darkest times. United in hope, we will rebuild and emerge stronger,” Vijayan wrote in an X post.

The family belonged to the Paniya community of Wayanad. Forest Officer K Hashis found the mother of the children wandering around Attamala forest in search of food, a PTI report said. She then led the forest officers to a cave where the four toddlers were taking shelter.

“They normally survive on forest products and sell them in the local market to purchase rice. However, it seems like, due to the landslide and the heavy rains, they were unable to procure any food,” Hashis said.

“The children were tired, and we fed them with whatever we had carried… We tied the children to our bodies and started our trek back,” he added.