The death toll from the devastating Wayanad landslides has risen to a heart-wrenching 340 as rescue operations push forward into their fifth day. Tragically, around 200 people are still missing, with rescue workers tirelessly searching through the rubble and debris. On Friday alone, officials recovered 210 bodies and 134 body parts. The deceased include 96 males, 85 females, and 29 children, according to reports from Matrubhumi.
Amidst the overwhelming sorrow, a story of incredible bravery has emerged. On Thursday, a team of forest officers, led by Kalpetta Range Forest Officer K. Hashis, embarked on a daring mission deep into the forest to rescue a stranded tribal family. This family, belonging to the Paniya community, was trapped in a cave atop a hill, overlooking a deep gorge. The rescue team had to endure a grueling four-and-a-half-hour trek through treacherous terrain to reach them.
Hashis shared with PTI how they found the mother and her four-year-old child wandering near the forest. After learning that her other three children and their father were still trapped in the cave without food, the team immediately sprang into action. The family, who generally avoided interactions with outsiders and survived by foraging and selling forest products, had been left with no means of obtaining food due to the landslide and heavy rains.
The rescue journey was fraught with danger. The officers had to navigate slippery and steep rocks amid relentless downpours. "The children were exhausted, and we fed them with what little we had," Hashis recounted. After much persuasion, the father agreed to accompany them back. The team tied the children to their bodies and carefully made their way back, using ropes tied to trees and rocks to ensure their safety.
The rescue team, including Section Forest Officer B.S. Jayachandran, Beat Forest Officer K. Anil Kumar, and Rapid Response Team member Anoop Thomas, successfully brought the family to the Attamala anti-poaching office. There, the children were provided with food, clothes, and footwear. "They are currently housed at the office, and the children are safe now," Hashis confirmed. A touching video showing one of the officers holding a child close has gone viral on social media, highlighting the emotional intensity of the rescue.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan praised the forest officials' heroic efforts on social media. "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," he wrote.
As the rains continue, the forest department has relocated most members of the tribal communities in Wayanad to safer areas. The rescued family had been living deep inside the forest for some time, surviving off the land. Their story of survival and the heroic efforts of the forest officers provide a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing tragedy in Wayanad.
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