Heroes of the Hills: Forest Department's Bravery in Wayanad

Forest Department personnel played a crucial role in alerting villagers about rising water levels and subsequently engaged in rescue and search missions following landslides in Wayanad. They navigated treacherous terrains, protected stranded individuals from wild animals, and rescued tribal children. Their heroic efforts have been widely recognized.

Forest Department personnel were the first to notice the alarming rise in water levels in the Chaliyar River, alerting villagers hours before devastating landslides struck Wayanad last week.

Since then, these brave officers have been deeply involved in rescue and search operations, multitasking across the hilly district's challenging landscapes. They guided rescuers through treacherous terrains and protected stranded villagers from wild animals. Beat forest officer J Shivakumar recounted several narrow escapes during these perilous missions.

Kalpetta range officer K Hashif and his team notably risked their lives crossing a swollen river to save isolated villagers. Viral social media photos show forest personnel carrying tribal children to safety. Hundreds of officials have continued to assist in recovery efforts, emphasizing the indispensable role of these hidden heroes.

(With inputs from agencies.)