Coimbatore: Forest department personnel rescued a man who was stranded in Melmudi forest area near Thadagam after losing his way while returning from a temple on Saturday.Forest officials said P Balasubramaniam, 57, from Podanur in the city had gone trekking with a group of people to Melmudi temple through Thadagam route on Saturday. After completing the temple visit, the group returned to the foothills. However, Balasubramaniam, who was reportedly unwell, fell behind the group and lost his way.He then contacted his wife on the phone and shared his location with her. When he did not return for several hours and his whereabouts remained unknown, his wife contacted the police control room and sought help.Following the alert, a team of forest personnel from Coimbatore forest range launched a search operation in the Melmudi hill terrain. The team subsequently located Balasubramaniam and rescued him. Forest personnel brought him safely down to the foothills.“As he was exhausted, he was taken to Thadagam forest staff quarters and allowed to rest for some time. He was later sent home safely,” an official said.
