Kerala: Indian Army rescues trekker stuck on a hill for over 40 hours
R Babu had been trapped in a niche on the hill in Palakkad district for about two days.

The Indian Army on Wednesday rescued a trekker who was trapped on a hill in Malampuzha village of Kerala’s Palakkad district, The Indian Express reported.
R Babu, 23, had been trapped in a niche on the Kurumbachi hill for over 40 hours without food and water.
Drone shot of Babu being rescued! It took ~45 hours, 75 persons and Babu's unwavering will power to bring him to the top. After trekker Babu slipped and fell in the Kurumbachi hills, he was stuck in a small cavity in the cliffside since Monday. pic.twitter.com/373pfs9fnd
— azeefa (@AzeefaFathima) February 9, 2022
#WATCH | Babu, the youth trapped in a steep gorge in Malampuzha mountains in Palakkad Kerala extends his thanks to the Indian Army after being rescued. Teams of the Indian Army had undertaken the rescue operation.
— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2022
(Video source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/VzFq6zSaY6
Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that efforts were in full swing to rescue Babu. Two units of the Army were called for assistance. The government had also sought help from the Air Force.
On February 7, Babu had trekked up the mountain with two of his friends. However, the other two abandoned the effort halfway, while Babu continued to climb, according to NDTV.
The 23-year-old then slipped and got stuck inside a small cavity on the side of the hill. He had also injured his leg in the process. His friends, who attempted to rescue him initially, had then reached out to authorities for help.
On Monday night, District Disaster Management Authority officials and volunteers attempted to rescue Babu but could not reach him.
The district administration then asked the Indian Coast Guard to assist in the operation. A chopper made several sorties in the area but returned as an airlift plan failed due to poor weather.
On Tuesday, the spokesperson for the defence unit in Trivandrum said that mountaineering experts from the Indian Army have been be sent for the rescue operation. The spokesperson also said that the Indian Coast Guard chopper will make sorties in the early hours on Wednesday.
#Palakkad #RescueMission
— PRO Defence Trivandrum (@DefencePROTvm) February 9, 2022
Army Specialist Teams with Qualified Mountaineers and Rock Climbing experts from Parachute Regimental Centre Bangalore and Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington are in location. Contact established with the boy & #OP_Babu_Rakshanam commenced by 0600 hours pic.twitter.com/z6NdXh2aMa
The Army personnel brought the youth back to safety by 10.08 am. Local bodies and the National Disaster Response Force also assisted in the operation, reported PTI.
After the rescue, Babu thanked the the Indian Army.
In a tweet, Vijayan said that the “worries have been put to rest” as the youth has been rescued.
“The treatment and care needed to regain his health will be provided now,” he added. “Thanks to the soldiers who led the rescue operation and everyone who provided timely support.”
Worries have been put to rest as the young man trapped in the Cherad hill in Malampuzha has been rescued. The treatment & care needed to regain his health will be provided now. Thanks to the soldiers who led the rescue operation and everyone who provided timely support. pic.twitter.com/YAwHQOxZAP
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) February 9, 2022
In a great rescue operation #IndianArmy has saved Babu who was stuck in #Malampuzha gorge for more than 40 hrs. A big salute to our brave soldiers. Kerala is grateful to the Indian Army and NDRF for this rescue operation. pic.twitter.com/rvI4Gnkj46
— V D Satheesan (@vdsatheesan) February 9, 2022