Rescue guards undergo specialised training in Iruvazhinji river

Following a surge in accidents involving visitors reportedly lured to unfamiliar spots by social media reels, the Fire and Rescue Services personnel under the Kozhikode division underwent specialised rope rescue training. The sessions focussed on dangerous stretches of the Iruvazhinji river.According to rescue officials, incidents of tourists getting stranded on river islets due to sudden flash floods and strong currents have become frequent within the Mukkom fire station limits, particularly along the Iruvazhinji river. Following directions from the Kozhikode regional fire officer, comprehensive training was organised for personnel across all stations in Kannur, Wayanad and Kozhikode districts to handle such emergencies efficiently.As part of the drill, rescue personnel successfully demonstrated advanced river crossing techniques in the Iruvazhinji river. The sessions focussed on rapidly deploying and anchoring ropes across swollen rivers to safely evacuate stranded individuals to the shore.Earlier sessions also covered specialised techniques, including tree rescue operations. A nine-member expert team led by rope rescue trainer Abhilash is spearheading the training across various stations in the division.Mukkom fire officer Abdul Saleem urged the public not to venture into dangerous river stretches or unfamiliar tourist spots without adhering to safety warnings and precautions, noting that the rising number of such incidents underscored the critical importance of the specialised training. Published - November 13, 2026 09:11 pm IST