Heroes of Wayanad: Forest Personnel's Brave Response to Deadly Landslides

Forest personnel alerted villagers in Chaliyar to rising water levels before deadly landslides hit Wayanad, and have since been engaged in rescue missions. They guide rescuers, drive away wild animals, and have rescued stranded villagers despite personal risk. Their heroic actions have been widely recognized on social media.

Forest personnel were the first to notice the unusual rise in Chaliyar River's water levels and warned villagers of impending danger just hours before deadly landslides hit Wayanad last week.

Since then, state Forest Department personnel have worked tirelessly in rescue missions across the hilly district, guiding rescuers through difficult terrains and protecting those stranded from wild animals.

Beat forest officer J Shivakumar recounted miraculous escapes, while range officer K Hashif and his team risked their lives crossing a swollen river to save stranded people. Their heroic efforts, documented on social media, have been widely praised.