PALAKKAD: The whole state waited 46 hours for Babu, who got trapped in the Cheradu Kurumbachi hills in Malampuzha. The foothills of Cheradu was filled with locals, officials and volunteers, following the incident. Officials from various departments, such as the police, forest, fire force, NDRF, civil defense and health workers, kept a keen eye on the hills.

The locals were always ready to offer help to the rescue force. When they saw the helicopter flying to save Babu, they applauded. They even called out to the rescue team and thanked them. Some of the local natives namely Akhil, Suresh, Manoj, Gireesh and Adityan, who knew the way towards the spot, established themselves at the base of the hills. The task force had climbed the hill with their help. Akhil was most familiar with the place, said Babu’s relatives. The locals brought food and water for the rescue force. Around 22 small groups of volunteers and locals had started searching in different directions, even before the NDRF and army arrived.

After distributing papers, Babu used to play football along with friends. He was the one who came regularly for playing. He is a nature-lover and is passionate about photography and videography. He had earlier conquered smaller heights of Cheradu hills. It was because of his passion for adventure that he continued to climb the hill, even after his friends retreated. There is an idol of a goddess at the top of the hill. From the top, one can see the whole Palakkad town. He wanted to capture visuals from the hilltop, said the locals. Devotees climb up the hill, once every year, as part of a festival. At other times, no one travels through these dangerous routes, they added.

It is not possible to climb directly to the top of Cheradu hills. One has to climb an adjacent hill and from there reach Cheradu hilltop. It is safe to come down through the same way, but Babu had opted for another short steep route. This got him trapped. Wild animals are rampant in these densely forested areas. Many among the locals have climbed Cheradu hills before, but none has reached this high. None of the locals had ever chosen the path through which Babu had tried to return.